PHOTO: Journalist Clarence Jackson
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- An experienced Liberian Journalist, Clarence Jackson has described Journalism as a professional field of study, stating that the role of the Media is to inform and create safe environment for the mass majority of the population.
Mr. Jackson, who is Station Manager of OK FM in Monrovia, explained that Journalist should be the voice of the people in every part of the country in providing awareness on issues taking place in their respective communities.
He told the gathering that Premium FM (98.1mhz) in the central Bong County should work to promote peace and reconciliation among citizens, instead of propagating messages that have the propensity of bringing disunity in the media landscape of Bong and Liberia at large.
The Press Union of Liberia former Regional coordinator believes that, if the management of Premium FM brings on board programs that educate rural dwellers in transforming their livelihood and also educate citizens about the working of the Government, OK Management is opened for partnership.
Mr. Jackson has admonished Journalists to uphold the interest of the profession, therefore calling on reporters of different media entities in Bong County not to denigrate themselves on their level of working in rural Liberia.
Senator Prince Moye
“Journalists should not bring sentiment in the Liberian media, and serious action will be taken against Journalist in the habit of using Media platform to gain relevance in the society and with a hidden agenda,” the OK FM Manager said.
He used the opportunity to encourage rural Liberian Journalist including Reporters of Premium FM to improve in order to ascend on the national level, thus as such the need to keep passion for the profession must be Keenly looked at, while starving to achieve a future goal in the media.
Mr. Jackson however, appealed to elected officials including Representative and senators to ensure that communities Radio stations across Liberia are included in the Country’s National Budget in order to empower staffs serve their respective communities.
On the issue of Journalist Bettie Johnson Mbayo’s saga involving controversial Josiah Marvin Cole, the former Regional Coordinator of the Press Union of Liberia publicly condemned the situation.
He further pledged the Press Union of Liberia’s support of standing with she and her husband to the conclusion of the case.
“CJ,” as he is affectionately called, warned public officials of mal- treating journalists in the Country.
Recently, Mrs. Bettie Johnson Mbayo, head of the Stage Media along with her husband and a principal was flogged by Representative Josiah Marvin Cole’s thugs for packing their vehicles before his fence within the Old Road Community; a community he currently resides as a lawmaker of Bong County.
He made the comments during the official launch of Premium FM operating on 98.1 mhz in Gbarnga.
The Experienced Liberian Journalist spoke on the theme, “A Premium for peace not conflicts.”
Premium FM (98.1mhz) is a campus based newly established Radio Station with the aim of promoting reconciliation in Bong County, according to the Station Manager, Mohammed Melvin Kwenah.
“Looking beyond the headlines and speaking to all sides of the controversy, and also ensuring that no one is left behind because of political, tribal, religious affiliation or disabilities be additional focuses of Premium FM” the Premium FM Manager said.
For his Part Bong County Senator Hon. Prince K. Moye appreciated citizens of Bong County for voting him at level of the Senate.
Sen. Moye, the CEO of the station clarified that Premium FM was not built for retaliation and political purpose, but for educational means.
He continued that he will continuously work with other media institutions in Bong County.
The Bong County Senator maintained that Premium FM was not built to allow him win future elections in Bong County, but rather to pay back to the Society.
He then pledged four thousand United States Dollars in kind (motorbike) to be received by the management on February 1.
Other high profile government officials, including citizens, pledged their support in working with Premium FM. They further extolled Senator Prince Kermue Moye for his contributions in the county.
The program was held in Gbarnga, Bong County on Saturday, January 29, 2022.