Monrovia: The government has accused the media of promoting instability in Liberia through its reportage, referencing the media’s role in the December 17 violent protest on Capitol Hill in which dozens of citizens were brutalized and tortured by the police.
Information Minister Jerilimik Piah says the media’s publication of sensational stories, in flagrant disregard for the peace and stability of the country, helped to escalate the tension between the state security and protesters during the violent protest, known as White Tuesday protest.
According to Minister Piah, the media in Liberia is only interested in creating sensational headlines and negative news rather than focusing on the peace of the country. “Instead of focusing on the well-being of the nation, some media outlets are more concerned with crafting striking headlines to ensure they stay at the top of the news cycle,” Minister Piah added.
Minister Piah added that such reportage damages the credibility of the media and contributes to public unrest. “Are we not also supposed to be concerned with the peace and security of the country?”, he asked, expressing concern that focusing solely on sensational stories at the expense of responsible reporting only contributes to national instability.
Minister Piah made the assertion at a special MICAT press briefing at the Ministry of Information on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
During the press engagement, the MICAT boss underscored the need for journalists in Liberia to prioritize accurate reporting and to consider the impact of their reportage on the peace and security of Liberia, adding that the strength of media institution lies in the quality and integrity of the information it provides, and not in the sensational stories that could lead to unintended consequences.
The Liberian Information Minister’s statement comes in the wake of reported attacks and harassment of journalists by state actors, including the police and the elite presidential guards, Executive Protection Service.
The Press Union of Liberia has condemned such unwarranted attacks on journalists during the discharge of their professional duties and vowed to take legal action against the government for stifling the media. The attacks on journalists, according to the president of the PUL, Julius Kanubah, is intended to censor the media and undermines the independence of its role as the watchdog of society.
However, the information minister says the government remains committed to providing a safe space for the Liberian media to develop. He narrated that the government’s issuance of operational licenses to 37 new media institutions validates the government’s commitment to supporting media pluralism and diversity.
While urging media outlets to thrive, Minister Piah stressed the importance of recognizing the country’s fragile peace and urged Liberian journalists to conduct their work in ways that strengthen the peace and security rather than undermining the peace.
“We are pleading with you to understand that we are not in the business of trying to stifle the media; we are here to help you grow,” MICAT Boss urged Liberian Journalists to uphold the ethical standards and promote the peace the have enjoyed over decades.
