As PUL Members Joined The Global Colleagues To Celebrate World Press Freedom Day
By Frank Sainworla, Jr., fsainworla@yahoo.com
As an robust show of support for the upholding of press freedom and free speech, members of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) over the weekend joined Journalists around the globe to give a befitting celebrations marking World Press Freedom Day.
Dressed in their T-shirts and caps bearing the appropriate inscriptions of the theme of this important annual observance, they paraded from the PUL headquarters on Clay Street in central Monrovia through other principal streets to the Monrovia City Hall on 2nd Street in Sinkor.There, they participated in an official ceremony held under the theme: “Sustaining Independent Journalism and Press Freedom in the Digital Age.”
Apart from the keynote speech by the acting Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA, Abdullai Kamara, a major highlight of the occasion was a panel discussion addressed by two prominent legal and media experts—UL Law School Professor, Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe veteran Journalist and media development specialist, Ms. Maureen Sieh.
LTA boss wants independent Journalism upheld
Keynote Speaker Kamara set the scene ahead of the panel discussion by underscoring the need to uphold independent Journalism, which he said is very important in the development of any democracy.
(L-R) LTA boss Kamara and PUL President Julius Kanubah
But the LTA boss urged Journalists not to abuse the right to practice press freedom by being responsible, professional and reporting the facts with balance and fairness, without blackmailing people and defaming their reputations.
Indicating that the digital age is here to stay with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Mr. Kamara told the PUL that the LTA will partner with it to organize training for Liberian media practitioners in the effective use of AI, promising to make experts available to the PUL for this purpose.
The LTA boss disclosed that since the Liberian government issued a license to Elon Musk’s Starlink to operate in Liberia, this country can now boast of having 100% internet coverage.
Cllr. Gongloe vows not to defend “mercenary Journalists”
Then came the panel discussion which was very lively and interactive, with the two panelists later taking some questions from the audience.
Cllr. Tiawan Gongolo, who is widely known as the “poor man lawyer” and had in the past defended a number of Liberian Journalists who were arrested for doing their work, said press freedom and free speech is a fundamental right.
He said that the Liberian constitution guarantees.
In this digital age, Cllr. Gongloe told Journalist that they must now develop the skills to positively use digital tools and AI effectively to expose corruption and make public officials accountable, citing examples including the leak and extension reporting of the Panama Papers, which revealed how and where top figures around the world were secretly hiding some Ill-gotten wealth.
But Gongloe, the former President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) was quick to caution Journalist to exercise their right and independence responsibly, warning that he will only defend Journalists who engage in professional practice and not those who blackmail newsmakers or practice “mercenary Journalism”.
Digital gagets making some Liberian Journalists lazy-says Maureen Sieh
For her part, veteran Journalist and media trainer, Maureen Sieh emphasized that traditional good Journalism continues to be relevant in the building a vibrant democracy, despite the rise of digital Journalism/social media and citizen journalism.
Ms. Sieh, a former Daily Observer Reporter and Editor, criticized many young Liberian Journalists who nowadays have virtually abandoned putting into practice basic Journalism skills and techniques such as effective note taking, in depth and analytical coverage of news events..
But rather, she explained that many of them have become overly dependent on digital gagets. And as a result, they conduct themselves in the field as though they were citizen Journalists.
The former IREX and Internews official also called on Liberian Journalists not to be totally dependent on AI and not to allow Artificial Intelligence to take away their voice. By totally relying on AI in their Journalism practice, they stand the risk of not putting the issue or society being covered in context, Ms. Sieh added.
Boakai gov’t will not engage in media Censorship-Min. Piah
Mounting the podium at the tail end of the 2025 World Press Freedom Day program was Information Minister Jerolinkek M. Piah, who restated that the Boakai government is fully committed to upholding press freedom and free speech.
But he once again cautioned Journalists to be responsible and not to abuse the freedom being enjoyed.
While assuring the media community that the current regime would not involve in censorship, Minister Piah called on the PUL to do its part by ensuring that Journalists adhere to ethical standards, adding that the Information is leaving the self-regulation aspect to the PUL.
At Saturday’s ceremony, PUL President Julius Kanubah said with his current administration being in office for just several months, it was not possible to put up the PUL Annual Awards program which usually coincides with World Press Freedom Day. But he promised that it will be organize for a later date.
Pomp and pageantry marked the fairly well-attended ceremony which saw the public recognition of former officials of the PUL, with a former President James Kiazolu taking the podium and decrying the wave of exodus from active Journalism practice blaming the trend on “media poverty”.
Mr. Kiazolu said even young Journalists with limited number of years of practice are living for greener pastures in Public Relations or other politically related jobs.