General Media Situation

The general media situation in Liberia can be termed as appreciable as far as media restriction and state relations is concerned. Except for a number of recurring incidents, which underline the need to instate actions so as not to undermine the relative tolerance the media has experienced, there has been a relative degree of freedom of expression and the press.

Repeated miscommunication between the various functionaries of government and the media, especially the Ministry of Information has largely contributed to an exacerbation of the situation.

Even under these circumstances, press freedom and freedom of expression have received nominal institutional threat, aside from the pockets of friction mentioned above. Probably this has been the reason while the 2007report by the US based Freedom House on Liberia’s press freedom standing, has been greeted with mixed reaction.

Press Freedom

Using economic and legal indicators, the Freedom House report rated Liberia press freedom standing as ‘Not Free’ under a regime that has shown a relatively tolerant position on freedom of expression and the press. Government supporters and some ordinary citizens disagree, citing amongst other things, the growth of media outlets and the freedom they enjoy publishing critical opinions without being penalized.

On the other hand, freedom to exercise the right of the ‘pen’ has been undermined by the lack of economic resources and the legal enabling environment which is essential for the cultivation of a more open, independent and sustainable post-conflict media, a case that has been resonated by pro-media groups which believe the ranking was fair.

In a recent publication on Freedom of Expression released by the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building, the group’s Executive Director Malcolm Joseph was equally uncomplimentary of the government’s press freedom standing.

“That violent and unlawful attack on the media have persisted, even under a regime said to have come to power upon democratic credentials is a tragedy that needs to be stopped…”

It is true that media proliferation has been widespread, evident by the changing political situation. Nevertheless, this surge has seen little or no concrete development of the media economy, with outlets not expanding, markets shrinking due to unwarranted competition and diminishing advertorial returns.

Media Pluralism

According to figures contained in a recent report “Strengthening Liberia’s Media: A Review of Media Support in the Post-Transitional Period and Recommendations for Future Actions” released by the Partnership for Media and Conflict Prevention in West Africa, there are roughly 38 newspapers in Liberia although only about 15 publish with some degree of regularity.

In addition, there are close to 50 registered radio stations – including community radios – currently broadcasting, representing almost four times the pre-war figures. There is no national public service broadcaster, though a number of stations strive to fill this void. These include UNMIL Radio, Star Radio and the Catholic-run Radio Veritas. The national radio service owned and managed by the Government is currently being resuscitated.

There are four commercial television stations and none have national coverage or reach. The TV channel of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) massively destroyed during the civil conflict, has been resuscitated by the Chinese Government and currently broadcasts a few hours a day.

There are three recognized degree-granting departments of journalism at three universities in the country, namely the University of Liberia (UL), African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU), and the United Methodist University (UMU). In spite of this rapid growth in media training infrastructure, standard of journalism is considerably low underscoring the effects the prolonged civil conflict had on the sector.

Most of the curricula of these institutions are outdated and instructors are in dire need of professionalization opportunities. There is also lack of equipment and on-the-job training. Only the UL has a radio station for practice training for broadcast students and runs a newspaper for print students.

1. Freedom House annual reporting on press freedom rankings around the world …
2. Report: The Perennial Tragedy of Democracy: Attacks on Freedom of Expression in Liberia 2006-2007 The report catalogued over a dozen incidents of attacks on journalists and separate cases of lawsuits. CEMESP has been involved with press freedom and free expression monitoring over the last few years;
3. Partnership for Media and Conflict Prevention in West Africa exists a loose but coordinated network of media development and support organizations harnessing their diverse expertise and experience in addressing specific in-country needs;