Serves As Keynote Speaker At The 8th Graduation Of Peter Quaqua School Of Journalism
PHOTO: Atty. Facia Harris delivering her Speech at the Graduation ceremony.
The Board Chair of the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia and the Executive Coordinator of the Paramount Young Women Initiative Atty. Facia B. Harris recently told the eighth graduating class of the Peter Quaqua School of Journalism that the media in Liberia holds a significant potential influence the political transition positively.
Delivering the eight commandments speech during the graduation ceremony of the Peter Quaqua School of Journalism, Atty. Harris said since 2016 to date, the school has trained and mentored 572young Liberians in the field of Journalism.
She spoke on the Topic: ‘Liberia in Political Transition: Media’s Role in Shaping the Future’.
The head of the all the NGOs in Liberia said, Liberia’s political transition represents a critical juncture not only for its governance structures but also for the consolidation of its democracy, one of the most important elements at the central point of this process is the role of the media, which, through a human rights lens, becomes an indispensable tool in promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance.
In the ongoing political transition, the media, especially independent journalism has a pivotal role in shaping Liberia’s political future.
“The media in Liberia holds significant potential to influence the political transition positively” she added.
Atty. Harris disclosed that first the media serves as a platform for public discourse, offering citizens the opportunity to engage with political processes, voice their concerns, and demand accountability from their leaders.
According to her, this engagement is fundamental to the realization of participatory rights, as enshrined in international human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Liberia is a party. The constitution of Liberia and other international instruments.
Furthermore, the Liberian media can play a crucial role in educating the people about their rights, the importance of democratic governance, and the different means available to them to hold their government accountable. This educational role is vital in a country where literacy rates are low, and access to formal education is limited for many. The country wakes up and goes to bed clinch to the media, what we feed the people has a significant impact on how the order of the political landscape and transition Atty. Harris noted.
Challenges of Building Strong Media
Despite its potential, we acknowledge that the Liberian media faces several challenges that could from time to time hinder its ability to promote accountability, transparency, and good governance effectively. One of the primary challenges is the issue of media freedom. Despite constitutional protections, journalists in Liberia often face threats, harassment, and even violence, particularly when reporting on corruption or critiquing the government. This environment of fear and intimidation severely limits the media’s capacity to function as a watchdog and advocate for human rights.
Another significant challenge is the lack of resources. Many media outlets in Liberia struggle with financial instability, which can compromise their independence. Dependency on political or business entities for funding can lead to biased reporting, which undermines the media’s credibility and its role in fostering accountability.
The Role of Independent Journalism
Independent journalism stands as the cornerstone of building a democratic society that respects and upholds human rights. Independent journalists, by investigating and exposing corruption, human rights abuses, and governance failures, play a crucial role in holding those in power accountable. Their work can catalyze social and political change, leading to more transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance.
For independent journalism to thrive in Liberia, efforts must be made to ensure the safety and protection of journalists. An enabling environment must be created where journalists can perform their duties without fear of retribution.
Additionally, investing in media literacy and education is crucial. An informed citizenry is better equipped to engage with media content critically, demand high-quality journalism, and participate more actively in democratic processes. Journalists also have to be professional, unbiased, non-partisan, and dedicated to leading national discourses from a ethical viewpoint and the end result of building and not breaking the society.
Conclusion
In the context of Liberia’s political transition, the media emerges as a pivotal force in shaping the future of the country. By fostering an informed and engaged citizenry, the media can contribute significantly to the establishment of a governance framework that is accountable, transparent, and respectful of human rights. However, realizing this potential requires addressing the challenges that currently impede media freedom and independence. Through concerted efforts to protect journalists and promote media literacy, Liberia can harness the power of the media to advance its democratic transition and ensure the protection of human rights for all its citizens.
As Liberia continues on its path of political transition, the media’s role in shaping the country’s future cannot be overstated. A strong, independent, and vibrant media is essential for promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance. However, realizing this potential requires overcoming significant challenges, from ensuring media freedom and access to information to achieving financial sustainability.
With concerted efforts from the government, civil society, and the international community, Journalists themselves, the media in Liberia can become a powerful force for positive change, driving the country towards a more democratic and prosperous future. The internet has created channels of communication that play a key role in circulating news, and social media has the power to change not just the message, but also the dynamics of political corruption, values, and the dynamics of conflict in politics.
But it takes trained, competent and ethical journalists like you all to make the difference.
‘Liberia in Political Transition: the Media’s Role in Shaping the Future in Liberia political transition is to keep telling the truth, to ensure we have transformational leadership and governance in Liberia. I will close with the words of Walter Lippman and
“There can be no higher law in journalism than to tell the truth and to shame the devil.” — Walter Lippmann.
“A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favour. It must enjoy the protection of the constitution, so that it can protect our rights as citizens. ”Nelson Mandela