GoL Reaffirms Commitmentto Press Freedom-Piah Pledges Support for Media Sustainability in Digital Era

In emerging democracies like Liberia, press freedom is not secured by constitutional guarantees alone—it depends on economic survival, digital adaptation, and sustained political tolerance for scrutiny. Across West Africa, shrinking advertising markets, rising operating costs, and online misinformation have left media houses struggling to remain independent and credible. Against this backdrop, remarks by Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah at an Integrity Media Forum highlighting the government’s commitment to media freedom and sustainability come at a critical moment. His assurances test Liberia’s broader democratic trajectory, where state policy toward the press must balance support, independence, and reform in an era reshaping journalism worldwide. THE ANALYST reports.

Liberia’s Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, has reaffirmed the Government of Liberia’s commitment to press freedom, media development, and democratic accountability, pledging sustained collaboration with media institutions to ensure their survival and growth in the digital age.

Speaking at the Integrity Media Forum organized to mark the first anniversary of The Liberian Investigator Newspaper, Minister Piah addressed the theme “Media Survival in the Digital Age: Marketing, Sustainability, and the Future of Journalism,” describing the discussion as timely and essential for Liberia’s democratic consolidation.

Piah said the Boakai administration recognizes the central role of a free press in governance and nation-building, noting that the sustainability of the media sector extends beyond financial support to include political and legal protections that guarantee editorial independence.

“Media sustainability is not just about a vibrant media economy with uninterrupted income flow,” he said. “It is multidimensional and also deals with political, legal, and social environment issues that allow journalism to function without fear of censorship or violence.”

He assured journalists and media executives that the government would continue to remove obstacles hindering the free operation of the press.

“This government will always ensure the press is free to operate by removing bottlenecks as far as our ability allows,” he said.

Minister Piah’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns within Liberia’s media community about declining revenues, rising operational costs, and the disruptive impact of digital platforms on traditional advertising models.

Addressing these concerns, the minister disclosed that the Boakai-led administration, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in coordination with the Ministry of Information, has begun settling outstanding debts owed to media institutions by various ministries, agencies, and commissions from previous administrations.

“We are a responsible government and will always meet up with our commitments to the Liberian media,” Piah said, describing the payments as part of a broader effort to rebuild trust and improve state-media relations.

He acknowledged that Liberia, like many African nations, faces challenges in adapting to technological changes reshaping the global media landscape.

“Liberia, like most African countries, is still struggling to keep up with the fast-moving pace of technological innovations that affect media institutions,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Piah identified what he called “low-hanging fruits” that could help media organizations strengthen their financial footing. These include capacity building in digital journalism and artificial intelligence, and the adoption of subscription-based models to reduce reliance on advertising revenue.

According to him, investing in digital skills would allow Liberian media houses to compete more effectively in the evolving information economy while improving the quality of reporting.

He also acknowledged concerns among media leaders that heavy reliance on government advertising can undermine editorial independence, pledging to work toward more transparent and equitable arrangements.

The minister said the Ministry of Information would collaborate with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications to support technological advancement within the media sector, including improved connectivity and digital infrastructure.

“We can achieve these once we are focused on doing them collaboratively,” he said, emphasizing that meaningful reform requires partnership between government and the press.

Piah congratulated the Liberian Investigator Newspaper on its first anniversary, noting that new media institutions play a vital role in strengthening democratic accountability and diversifying public discourse.

“I commit on behalf of the Government of Liberia intentional and targeted efforts to make the media in Liberia freer, prosperous, and most importantly, ethical, balanced, and credible,” he said.

Analysts say Liberia’s media sector has historically played a central role in promoting transparency and accountability, particularly during periods of political transition. However, financial instability and digital disruption have increasingly threatened the viability of many outlets.

They note that government support must be carefully structured to avoid perceptions of influence while ensuring a sustainable environment where independent journalism can thrive.

The Integrity Media Forum brought together journalists, editors, media managers, civil society actors, and government representatives to discuss strategies for strengthening Liberia’s media ecosystem amid global changes in news consumption and distribution.

Participants stressed the need for stronger professional standards, improved business models, and greater collaboration between media institutions to maintain credibility and public trust.

For Liberia, where democratic consolidation remains an ongoing process, commitments to press freedom are widely viewed as a critical measure of governance. Whether through policy reforms, financial transparency, or technological investment, the future of the Liberian media sector will depend on sustained cooperation between state institutions and independent journalists.