Publisher Seakor Commends ALJA’s Donation -Blasts Some Media Development Groups -Says, “ALJA Assistance A radical Departure from Others”

MONROVIA – Overwhelmed by the show of true support and commitment to the development and welfare of the Liberian media sector through a massive donation of computers (Laptops) and other electronic gadgets to several media institutions in the country by the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), the Publisher/Managing Editor of The Analyst Newspaper, Mr. Stanley Seakor, has commended the organization for being thoughtful in identifying with the media works of their colleagues back home, describing the donation as a radical departure from the other channels where media development groups in Liberia careless about the opportunities to develop the media despite huge donor funding they received.

The statement of appreciation from publisher Seakor formed part of his acknowledgement of the gesture extended his institution. The Analyst is one of the media institutions that benefited from the kind gesture from ALJA aimed at enhancing the productivity and capacity of media organizations in the country. Publisher Seakor further acknowledged that the assistance could not have come at a more propitious time when the sector is struggling while media development organizations in the country who should be assisting are undermining the very establishment they pretend to support.

“We see this as a welcome development; as it bridges the gap in support for robust media activities in the country. I think it is fair enough to say this support is a radical departure from what has happened in our own setting where some local media development institutions go out there to lobby for media support, return to exploit the situation and to some extent blackmail some of the media entities as being on the payroll of the government and cannot benefit from their programs.

“Even the little support that would get to the media comes with humiliation and downgrading of the media. They come up with some non-result yielding initiatives such spurious undertakings in the name of workshop, training and capacity building for the sole purpose of justifying the rip-off from donors’ funds, thereby using the media to enrich themselves… at the right time we will call names with evidence. 

“We are not looking at how little the donation is but the fact is even in the little way within their reach, ALJA has come forth with this support just like in the past and we are optimistic that bigger things will definitely be on the way and the Liberian media sector will surely get there”, Seakor said.

He urged his colleagues to make judicious use of what was presented and strive to be professional in their line of duty. The Liberian media practitioner and executive as well called for exploring new areas of synergy between ALJA and the Liberian media fraternity with the view of enriching the profession thereby increasing its quota to national development.

The commendation from Publisher Seakor came on the heels of the donation made from ALJA at a brief but eventful ceremony held at the office of the Center for Media and Peace Studies yesterday, Thursday, February 9, 2023 when 20 media institutions from both the print and electronic media received laptops and other electronic gadgets.

The Executive Director for CEMPS, Malcolm Joseph who coordinated the distribution of the items from ALJA said he was happy to see the fulfillment of the project and hoped the donation will be a continuous one. Mr. Joseph also called on the local media family to appreciate ALJA and encourage the existence of cooperation between the media and ALJA.

Speaking thereafter, Charles Crawford, the External Relations Chairman said the donation represents ALJA’s own way of identifying with its roots given the fact that members of the organization have had relationships with the media community at home and have been endeavoring to maintain the relationship active.

He said the donation was ALJA’s own way of contributing to the capacity building process of the media as they strive to provide unmatched services to the Liberian people in this critical time.

The occasion was also used to present checks to two students at the Department of Communications and Media Studies at the University of Liberia who are beneficiaries of a scholarship scheme named in honor of a fallen colleague, Joseph Teh, who died some time ago in Boston, the United States of America.

The two junior students, Chuckey Ramadel Thomas and Miss Deddeh Sammy, thanked ALJA for the offer and promised to reciprocate the gesture by being studious and ambitious towards becoming media practitioners upon graduation.

Responding on behalf of the media institutions, Mr. Cholo Brooks, publisher of Global News Network (GNN) media outlet thanked ALJA for the donation, describing the presentation as a step forward in boosting the morale and engagements of media practitioners. Mr. Books promised that the materials donated will be properly utilized.

Several media institutions that benefited from the donation included radio stations in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Sinoe, Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Nimba, Grand Kru, Bong and Maryland Counties. Other media institutions in Monrovia including, The Analyst Newspaper, the Independent Probe, the Inquirer Newspaper, Global News Network (GNN), Lux FM radio at the University of Liberia and Prime TV, among others, also benefited from the ALJA gesture.