MONROVIA – One contemporary Liberian whose support to media freedom, civil liberty and free speech has remained unwavering is longtime human rights lawyer Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, though he has concurrently frowned on a few rotten apples in the basket. He was recently been in the news for decrying media practitioners who continue to misuse their profession, indulging in what he called “mercenary journalism”. But as if he was cautious about the ramifications of the statement, how anti-media elements could weaponize his utterance, the luminary jurist quickly came out with a fresh commentary to reaffirm his continued respect and defense for the Liberian media. As The Analyst reports, Gongloe has issued another insightful expose, accentuating his belief in the role of a strong press as an underpinning of a stronger democracy, but maintaining however that the panacea for a stronger media is to “short-circuit mercenary journalism”.
In an article during the week, Cllr. Gongloe said his earlier caution against mercenary journalism was not an attack on the profession but a plea for ethics, noting that, while responses to his assertion were generally positive, some of his colleagues rightly outlined causes that led to the moral lapses within the media landscape, thus triggering his latter response.
According to Cllr. Gongloe, if the media must effectively and efficiently play its watchdog role in society, the government, as the single largest employer, must avoid weakening the profession.
He said Government often delays payments and buys too little advertising in the private media,weakening a profession that once inspired young Liberians through giants like J. Railey Gunpah, Tommy R. Raynes, Jonathan Reffell, Kwame Clement, Cyrus Badio, Moses Washington, Tom Kamara, Stanton Peabody, Rufus Darpoh, Sarah Hayes Cooper, Davidetta Brown-Lassanah, Martin Brown, Olivia Shannon, and many others.
“Those names made youth dream of honest journalism—and retire as journalists,” the Liberian lawyer wrote. “Here is my appeal, offered in good faith as an opposition leader who loves this Republic: Government is the largest purchaser in our economy. Use that power to strengthen—not sideline—the private press.
“Budget clearly for public-interest advertising. Publish jobs, services, new laws and regulations through private outlets across all counties and languages. Pay on time. When the press is economically viable, it keeps professionals who mentor the next generation.”
Gongloe said a strong press becomes a daily classroom for truth, education, and responsible entertainment, calling on the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to uphold ethics and protect the public.
Diving deeper in his earlier argument, Cllr Gongloe said the media must be empowered to deliver unbiased information to the public for the general good of society, citing several instances where such support have led to the strengthening of the media in Africa.
“This is how many well-governed African peers lift standards without controlling content,” he stressed. “South Africa’s Media Development and Diversity Agency funds community and small commercial outlets. Kenya’s Media Council accredits, trains, and offers grants with a working complaints system. Ghana couples its Right to Information law with a national safety mechanism for journalists under the National Media Commission. Mauritius supports skills through the statutory Media Trust. Seychelles pairs Access-to-Information with an independent information and media commission. Rwanda’s ATI law and capacity-building programs have widened lawful access to data and professional training. Namibia’s ATI framework, Sierra Leone’s repeal of criminal libel and FOI trainings, Senegal’s press-support fund (FADP), and Côte d’Ivoire’s FSDP all show practical, transparent ways to back a professional press. These tools raise standards, encourage peaceful discourse, and create the confidence that tourism and investment require.
According to him Liberia can adapt these ideas to its context, to transparent public-notice spending, prompt settlement of media bills, competitive training grants for community radio and county papers, safety protocols, firm Access-to-Information, and ethics enforcement through the PUL—not political control.
“This is not charity; it is democratic imperative,” he continued.
Gongloe noted that without a free, viable press, democracy and good governance are illusions and ignorance spreads.
With a respected, independent press—supported by government, the private sector, civil society, politicians, and journalists working together—Liberia gains truth, civic peace, and the trust that draws visitors and investors, he emphasized.
He noted that collective partnership with the media, not battle, is the best way forward to the mindset of Liberians for a better Liberia.