PHOTO: The Author
By George Werner (former Education Minister)
The term fourth estate has its origins in 18th-century Britain, attributed to Edmund Burke, who reportedly used it during a parliamentary debate to highlight the growing power and influence of the press.
Traditionally, society was divided into three estates: the clergy (religious authority), the nobility (secular or political authority), and the commoners (the general populace).
The press was labeled the fourth estate to underscore its role as an independent force that operates outside these traditional power structures. Its primary purpose is to act as a watchdog, holding the other estates accountable, and serving as a check on power by exposing corruption, fostering transparency, and informing the public.
In Liberia, however, this noble mandate is increasingly being neglected. The media, once heralded as the beacon of accountability and the voice of the voiceless, is falling short of its duties.
Instead of delving into the weighty matters that demand attention, much of the Liberian press has become preoccupied with the frivolous, failing to live up to its historical role as the fourth estate.
A recent example illustrates this troubling trend. Rather than tackling complex issues such as education reform, healthcare delivery, governance, investment climate or resource management, the media dedicated disproportionate attention to dissecting a letter of invitation to the inauguration of the President-elect of Ghana.
This focus on the trivial at the expense of the substantive is a dereliction of duty and diminishes the media’s capacity to foster informed discourse and national development.
The situation is exacerbated by the format that dominates much of Liberian media. A typical radio or television program involves a host arriving at the desk without written notes, scripts, or a structured agenda. The program then devolves into unplanned commentary on a few trending topics, often chosen for their shock value rather than their importance.
Afterward, phone lines are opened for audience reactions, creating a chaotic exchange of opinions that rarely adds substantive value. While this tradition of audience interaction is not inherently flawed, the lack of preparation and focus undermines the media’s mandate to inform and educate.
The consequences of this neglect are dire. Critical issues, such as the allocation of resources and the nation’s development policies, are left unexamined. The media fails to challenge policymakers or equip citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions. As a result, public discourse is reduced to soundbites and sensationalism, while the real issues that shape lives remain in the shadows.
Worse still, those journalists who dare to rise above the fray—who invest time in research, uncover corruption, or question authority—are often vilified, hunted, and hated.
Their work, instead of being celebrated as a cornerstone of democracy, is dismissed as antagonistic or subversive. These individuals face threats and isolation, yet their courage is essential if Liberia’s media is to reclaim its rightful place.
The concept of the fourth estate is not just a historical relic or a lofty ideal; it is a solemn duty. The Liberian press must rediscover its purpose and embrace its responsibility to serve the public interest by focusing on substance over sensationalism.
Media houses must invest in training, research, and investigative reporting. Programs must be structured, deliberate, and rooted in facts. Most importantly, journalists must be protected and empowered to ask difficult questions and tell uncomfortable truths.
When the press chooses frivolity over complexity, it fails not only itself but the nation it serves. It is time for the Liberian media to rise to the occasion, honoring its mandate to inform, educate, and hold power to account. Only then can it truly live up to its calling as the fourth estate—a cornerstone of democracy and a force for progress.