Criticism Not Threat To Democracy -Boakai Says, Inaugurating Maiden Presidential Media Dinner

MONROVIA – The Liberian media community, and the public at large, climaxed the work day of Thursday, April 10, with arguably the most grandiose presidential media dinner night in decades when President Joseph Nyuma Boakai hosted scores of journalists – media managers, editors, reporters, and friends of the media – at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Building in Congo Town. Fiery and flowery speeches came from a cross section of stakeholders, including the President of the Press Union of Liberia. The chief host of the event was also on top of the literary game, delivering a moving statement that not only exalted press freedom as a bulwark of democracy and a catalyst of socioeconomic development and peace, but also vowed to continue, as president of the country, to ensure that people’s rights to free speech, free press and human freedoms are firmly upheld, and respected. The Analyst reports.      

The EJS Ministerial complex in Congo Town and its vicinity glittered Thursday night, April 10, as topnotch and ordinary Liberian journalists as well as throngs of government officials converged for a presidential media dinner night.

Amongst the speakers was the chief convener of the event, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who paid tribute to a country with long history of tyranny and despotism emerging into sustainable democracy peddled by a flourishing media and accessory freedoms. 

The Liberian leader highlighted how Liberia has been setting an example across Africa in championing press freedom, vowing to remain steadfast in his government’s support of the Table Mountain Declaration, which serves not merely as a written commitment, but as a living pledge to defend journalists’ rights and guarantee the free exchange of information in the country.

“This evening, I stand before you to reaffirm a commitment: under my leadership, Liberia will have no political prisoners and no press suppression,” the president said, adding: “Criticism is not a threat to democracy; it is its essence. We will not shy away from your questions; instead, we will listen. We will not stifle dissenting voices; we will engage with them.”

He noted that the richness of Liberia’s media landscape reflects progress, recalling that since he took office, the nation continues to witness the registration of more media outlets than ever before, creating additional platforms for storytelling, accountability, and the influence of public opinion.

“This growth is not coincidental; it stems from a political climate that honors the freedom to speak, publish, and critique,” President Boakai further said, acknowledging however that the journey is far from over.

“There is still work to do—to improve professionalism, to combat misinformation, and to ensure journalists are safe and supported in every county of this country,” he said. “But tonight, let us also celebrate how far we’ve come.”

“We have also taken meaningful steps,” the Chief Executive further noted. “With backing from our partners and stakeholders, my administration is advancing the work of the Commission on Information, a vital new body dedicated to promoting transparency and public access to information.”

According to him, the commission would act as a conduit between the government and the citizens, facilitating the free flow of facts and building public trust, further pledging to continue to enhance the enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act, ensuring that public entities share knowledge rather than withhold it from the citizens they serve.

Access to information is not just a privilege, he opined. “It is a fundamental right, and this administration is committed to upholding that right.”

The president also expressed recommitment of his administration to upholding the Abdullah K. Abdullah Act—a law that stands as a monument to press freedom and the memory of one of Liberia’s most courageous media pioneers.

This act not only protects journalists from arbitrary arrest and intimidation but also enshrines media freedom as a cornerstone of our democracy.

He called on journalists to join forces to continue to build a society where facts and respect for traditional values matter.

“Let us together build a society where the media thrives, and where government and press, while distinct, move in the same direction—for the good of the Liberian people,” President Boakai also noted.  “May this dinner not be the end of a conversation but the beginning of a deeper, more constructive one between the presidency and the press.”

According to the president, what he called an inaugural Presidential Media Dinner” was more than a courtesy but “a gesture of appreciation, of partnership, and of the tremendous responsibilities that we share”.

He commended the Liberian media community for all that they have done to nurture the growth of Liberia’s democracy and the advancement of the national cause.

“We also extol your resilience, vigilance, and commitment to truth. Yours is not an easy calling. It demands courage, sacrifice, and, above all, integrity,” he stressed.

He said Liberia has a valued historic role as a champion of liberty and a beacon of freedom on the African continent and around the world.

“However, freedom, especially the freedom of the press, is not a gift that sustains itself. It must be defended, expanded, cherished, and institutionalized,” he said.

Senator Dillon: “Be Critical but Factual”

The government’s media engagement dinner also had as one of its guests the Senate Committee Chairperson on Information, Broadcasting, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Montserrado Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, who called on the media to remain critical of governance in their reporting but do the needful professional thing of being factual.

Dillon said, “Let’s report the facts. Let’s be critical but objective so that we can clean our society.

Find some educational mind changing topic. Find some educational mind changing topic. Plenty of things are happening here.”

“Plenty of good thing are happening here,” he emphasized. “Even the day when the news doesn’t appear to be bad, they can go for the old one in retrospect to bring it back. Let’s help to change the way we think, the way we do things in our country so that together, Liberia can be all alright for all of us.”

Dillon said the occasion was not intended to compromise the media but to bridge and keep relationship between the government and the media well and going.

He also expressed the hope that the organizers of the event would keep it regular, at least annually.

The Senate media committee chairman promised to work with relevant government institutions to pay the media for their services rendered in publishing, advertisement owed.

Minister Samuel A. Stevqoah: “Call Me Any Time”

Speaking on behalf of his boss, the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs Sylvester Grigsby who travelled out of the country during the event, Acting Minister Samuel A. Stevqoah, expressed delight over the relationships between the government and the media, promising to keep up the pace by remaining engaged.

“I bring you greetings from the Ministry of State, Honorable Sylvester Grigsby, who has asked me to convey to the media the appreciations of this administration for your partnership,” Mr.  Stevqoih said.

“It’s often said that the media is the gateway to the consciousness of the Liberian people. The Minister has asked me to remind all of you that we have a responsibility to each other.  We look forward to your continued cooperation and working together.”

“If you called anyone at the Executive Mansion, particularly the media people, including press secretary Kula, and you can’t get through, don’t hesitate to call me directly. I will always pick up your calls,” he averred.