A brief history and background
Media operation started in what is today called Liberia before the country was declared
independent. In the colonial period that preceded the founding of Liberia in 1847, there existed
what is known as the first ever newspaper, the Herald, founded in 1826 by Charles Force. Then
in 1928, Firestone Liberia went on the air for the first time to mark the first radio broadcast in
Liberia. These endeavors were private and many in similar fashion sprang up for decades
thereafter.
Lately in the 1960’s, a few radio stations, including the government owned Liberia Broadcasting
Corporation came into being. There was also a corresponding boost in the newspaper industry.
Notwithstanding these gains, either inadequately trained or mere apprentice were the available
manpower to manage the fast-growing media industry. The need for a media training institution
therefore became exceedingly paramount.
Consequently, in 1983 the University of Liberia succeeded to win funding from UNESCO to
establish the Mass Communication Department. An experienced media practitioner and educator,
Prof. T. Nelson Williams became the department’s first chairman, assisted by a team of fresh
graduates with advanced degrees in media from America. They included Alahaji G.V. Kromah;
Associate Professor Lamini Warritay, and Associate Professor Weade kobbah-Boley, currently
Vice President for Institutional Development at the university.
Since its establishment, the department has succeeded in training media professionals in the
broadcast and print media. Many of the department’s graduates have excelled in government,
local and international media circles, and related areas.
An interesting account of the department’s history is that the first batch of instructional staffers
named above have headed the department at different intervals.
In 2021, the department obtained approval for change of name from Mass Communication
Department to its current name, paving the way for expansion and improvement.
PAST AND CURRENT CHAIRPERSONS
1. Prof. T. Nelson Williams (1984 – 1987) – BA, MA.
2. Associate Professor Lamini Waritay (1987-1990) – BA, MSc.
3. Associate Professor Steve Tweh (2001-2005) –
4. Assoc. Prof. Joe Worlobah Mulbah (2005 – 2011) – BA, MA,
MA, LLB.
5. Asst. Prof. Weade Kobbah-Boley (2012 – 2016) – BA, MA
6. Associate Prof. Alhaji G.V. Kromah (2016-2018) – BSc, M.A,
LLB.
Current Chairperson
7. Euriahs M. Togar (2019 – ) BA, MSc, cPhD

The Varsity Pilot 

Communication like many other fields, is a hands-on profession. Cognizant of this, we strive to expose our students to as much practical learning opportunity as possible. For students pursuing broadcast journalism, LUX FM is that platform while students pursuing print journalism take advantage of The Varsity Pilot Newspaper to hone their writing and reporting skills. All this is to ensure that students acquire the requisite skills to complement the theoretical knowledge of the classroom before stepping out into the real world. Over the years, The Varsity Pilot has provided an opportunity for the students to experience the typical print newsroom and rudiments of real-world print journalism. This way, the students leave the university fully equipped to make professional contributions in news organizations without the need for internship.
A longstanding limitation to achieving this goal has been the fact that The Varsity Pilot has been entirely paper-based, leaving a major gap considering the role and impact of digitization on journalism practice. Thankfully, this gap has been filled with the establishment of The Varsity Pilot online. With support from Internews, a media development and support partner, students
can now development the critical skills in multimedia digital print journalism.
Our Mission
• To adequately prepare students by equipping them with digital and critical thinking skills
for profession careers in communication and journalism that will enable them to cope with technological changes that continue to shape the communication and media
landscape.
• Position students to sufficiently and effectively contribute to knowledge in the fields of
journalism and communication through practice, research, and scholarship.
Our Vision
Become a full school of communication and media studies that will foster innovative research,
critical thinking, and quality learning that will empower students to shape the Liberian media
landscape through solid professional practice that upholds the important tenets of the profession.
Our Philosophy
The basis of all learning should be grounded in a search for professional values, the pursuit of
wisdom and understanding; and the application of these for the development and advancement of
society and the world. We believe the teaching of communication and application of its tenets
is the catalyst for unity, peace, stability, development, and a wholesome society