(LINA) – The Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) says it does not consider the headquarters gift from President George Manneh Weah as a reason for its members to be compromised in the discharge of their journalistic duty, contrary to the insinuations by critics.
FeJAL Coordinator Siatta Scott-Johnson said she wonders how people would think that FeJAL members could be biased in their reportage when the Association does not operate as a news outlet, but an auxiliary group to the Press Union of Liberia with the sole objective of empowering female journalists to reach their fullest potential and compete with their male counterparts in the profession.
Historically in Liberia, female journalists are marginalized in the newsroom to the extent that assuming editorial positions has become a matter of rarity.
On Saturday, April 20, President Weah took female journalists in Liberia by surprise when he unveiled a well-furnished structure intended to be used as the new headquarters of FeJAL.
The dedication of the office space, which is located at the Baptist Seminary, was witnessed by an array of government officials and female journalists, who had earlier gone to the Monrovia City Hall for the fundraising ceremony of FeJAL’s office.
FeJAL Coordinator, however, clarified that the building given to the association is not located in the President’s compound as is being speculated on social media and in other public space.
“Let me say this for the record, the building is not in the President’s compound at the Baptist Seminary as has been trending on social media, and I can assure the public that the gift from the President will not interfere with our professionalism, as we will condemn when the government errs, and we will as well commend what is commendable,” Madam Johnson said.
In an interview with the Liberia News Agency (LINA) on Monday, Madam Johnson thanked the Liberian leader for giving FeJAL the opportunity to have its own space and transportation, where they will be able to conduct trainings and have programs without the stress of renting a hall and buses for occasions.
In addition to the headquarters, President Weah also donated a bus to Fejal.
For his part, the President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Charles Cuffey, lauded President Weah for the gesture, pointing out that “It is not a problem for an auxiliary of the PUL to have its own office space.”
He also said that the new office of FeJAL will not stop the PUL from giving the Union’s auxiliary group (FeJAL) a space in the PUL facility when constructed. LINA
