PAL Leader Surveys Media Ecosystem -Garblah Speaks Out As New PUL Leadership Takes Seat

As a new leadership of the Press Union of Liberia takes the mantle of power following a nearly two years of dispute and disunity amongst journalists over results of elections conducted in the Central County of Bong, the President of the Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL) has laid bare the challenges and prospects for media freedom and free speech in the country.

In welcome remarks made at the induction ceremony of PUL President Julius Kanubah and his team members, Othello B. Garblah, said: “Our path to the leadership was not an easy journey; neither will it be easy to govern. However, we are lucky to have the grace of God on our side and the graciousness of our membership. We are not promising heavens but with our prayers to heavens we can make the difference, perfecting our Union and making it stronger.”

Providing an overview of the Liberian media landscape, the New Dawn publisher disclosed that there are over 50 newspapers and magazines in the country, more than 130 radio stations, including community Radio stations, a few TV channels, and several online media platforms in Liberia.

“Newspapers are predominantly run and operated in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, but the impact of their products extends across the country and the globe through online platforms,” he said, speaking favorably about the political environment of the country.

Garblah acknowledged the flexibility of the law regarding the establishment of media entities but said this has led to the proliferation of media institutions throughout the country, with politicians taking advantage of creating media institutions that project their political agendas.

In its 2024 report on the Liberian Media, he noted, “Reporters Without Boarder noted that political penetration within the Liberian media has also strengthened politicians’ ability to influence their content. RSF also reported that the government continues to exert control over state-owned media, while local officials often control the content and operations of community radio stations.”

Speaking of the Liberian legal framework, the New Dawn boss cited Article 15 of the Liberian Constitution which provides freedom of speech and the press, but added that “these rights are sometimes restricted in practice”.

“As captured in the 2024 Freedom House report on freedom of speech in Liberia, investigative reporters continue to receive threats of legal actions from private and individuals within the government in response to journalistic inquiries,” he stressed. “The Freedom House report also mentioned the 2019 Press Freedom Act, which decriminalized libel, sedition, and criminal malevolence.

According to him, defamation remains a civil offense, and journalists risk jail time for nonpayment.

“Investigative reporting remains a key component of media practice here. However, such reporting can lead to media houses being summoned to court,” he divulged, zeroing in also on the economic environment which he said remains challenging, and the advertising market very tight.

Most advertisements are placed on the Executive Mansion’s website, which is the President’s official Media website, he said. “Thus, media institutions are deprived of needed advertisement revenues.”

Garblah also indicated that some government institutions and agencies choose to advertise do so with media institutions deemed uncritical of the authorities.

“Journalists are among the country’s lowest-paid professionals, and news sites often have to publish PR pieces in return for financial support—a practice that compromises media independence,” he said furhter.

“It is against these backgrounds that the media in Liberia need to cultivate a sense of unity instead of being divided at every level. We need to begin to speak with one voice for our survivability.

“We cannot and we should not continue to divide ourselves, while politicians laugh at us as the public whose interest we represent bow its head in shame. We as media partitioners both seniors and junior should aspire to hold together regardless of our internal differences-this would strengthen our voices when we speak. It doesn’t matter which institution a journalist represents as long as you sign up you belong to the inky fraternity and must enjoy that sense of belonging and not be view as an adversary.”