Monrovia, November 3, 2008: The Liberia Media Center, in collaboration with the Canada-based Journalists for Human Rights, has launched a multi year media development project under the theme: Good Governance through Strengthened Media in Liberia.

From left to right: Desmond Curran, DFID Representative, Nikki Whaites, Director of Int'l Programs-JHR, Martin Kerkulah, Member-LMC Board, Hon. Isaac W. Jackson, Jr. Assistant Minister for Culture, Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism (MICAT)

Under this program, international journalism trainers in the areas of governance, human rights and democracy will be seconded to select Liberian media organizations for eight-month periods; the journalism curriculum in Liberian tertiary institutions will be reviewed for improvement; and support will be provided for excellence in journalism through the support of an annual award for good reporting on human rights and governance, and the establishment of a human rights journalism network.

The project is being supported through the Governance and Transparency Fund (GTF) of the UK Department for International Development, and is aimed at providing long term training for Liberian journalists.

At Saturday’s launch, representatives of a variety of organizations, including UNESCO, UNMIL Human Rights, National Human Rights Center, the Press Union of Liberia, and the Ministry of Information expressed their support in the hope that increased training for journalists, including in human rights and governance issues, will make the environment better for the sustenance of peace and democracy.

In special remarks at the program, the Coordinator of the Project, K. Abdullai Kamara encouraged Liberian media organizations and institutions to take advantage of the project, which is meant to increase popular awareness on human rights and governance issues, whereby these virtues will be better understood by the public.

During the first phase of the project, trainers will be placed with the Daily Observer, Star Radio and Renaissance Communications, while a fourth trainer will work on a wide range of issues involving other media in Monrovia and the rural areas, as well as participating in the development of journalism education curriculum.

A second batch of trainers will be seconded mid 2009.

Also during the program, Mr. George Papagiannis, on behalf of UNESCO donated two copies of the “Model Curricula for Journalism Education: UNESCO Series on Journalism Education.”

He called for a more collaborative relationship with the Liberia Media Center (LMC) after the successful implementation of two phases of the UNESCO Sponsored Internship Program for graduating seniors of universities offering Mass Communication related courses and UNESCO’s support to the LMC’s TRC Media Monitoring Project.

The Internship Programs culminated in the production of a Handbook on Vocational Job Placement for future programs in Liberia.

Presentation of Model Curricula for Journalism Education by Ahmed Ferej, Country Director, UNESCO-Liberia to the Senior Program Officer of LMC, Cosme R. Pulano