The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has officially opened its third edition of a specialized investigative journalism training, aimed at enhancing media coverage of Liberia’s fisheries sector. The two-day training session at the Corina Hotel Conference Hall, offers a unique opportunity to enhance Reporters investigative skills in fisheries reporting and contribute to increasing transparency and accountability in Liberia’s fisheries sector organized by the Environmental Justice Foundation, EJF.
The EJF two-day investigative journalists’ workshop is bringing together journalists from Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, and Grand Bassa Counties.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 7, at the opening ceremony, Olivia P. Livingstone, Technical Officer for Fisheries, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Research Support at EJF, emphasized the importance of informed and ethical journalism in promoting transparency and accountability in Liberia’s fisheries sector—an area she described as often overlooked.
“I would like to take this time to welcome you to the third edition of our investigative reporting training,” said Livingstone. “For this training, we have specific objectives. The first is to provide journalists with relevant information to deepen their understanding of Liberia’s fishery sector.”
Livingstone noted that the fisheries industry in Liberia remains largely underreported, partly because it is not viewed as a ‘trending’ issue by the media or the public. She stressed that this workshop aims to change that perception.
“A lot of people do not have an idea of what’s happening in fisheries. For many reasons, it might not be a trending issue in Liberian society, so journalists often prefer to report on gender issues or topics that are already catching the public’s attention,” she explained. “But we want to change that. And to do that, we must first educate you on the sector—it’s different parts and what we do.”
The training is designed not only to improve journalists’ technical knowledge of fisheries but also to strengthen their skills in investigative reporting. Livingstone acknowledged the experience many journalists already bring to the table but said the workshop would focus on refining ethical standards and reporting accuracy.
“I know a lot of you went to school, did journalism, or based on your experience, you know a lot already about investigative reporting. But we’re going to share more ideas on ethics—especially when it comes to reporting,” she said. “As a researcher, I understand the value of accuracy. My work and yours are really connected. So, I’ll be sharing lessons on ensuring reporting is transparent, accurate, and free of bias.”
She also revealed that EJF intends to provide sustained support to journalists beyond the workshop. Participants will be added to EJF’s networking platform and invited to apply for story funding through the organization’s fisheries reporting forum.
“We’re not just going to host this training and leave you alone. We’ll stay connected,” she assured. “If you submit your application and are successful, you will receive funding from EJF to write investigative stories on critical issues within Liberia’s fisheries sector.”
Livingstone concluded her remarks by expressing hope for a stronger culture of ethical and transparent journalism in the country.
“We want to see improved and transparent journalism,” she emphasized. “If you’re writing any story or feature, we want to see that it meets high ethical standards—proper referencing, verified sources, and clear citation. That’s how we build trust and drive change in the sector.”
The Environmental Justice Foundation has been actively engaged in supporting environmental sustainability and responsible governance in Liberia’s natural resource sectors. This training is part of its broader efforts to empower the media as watchdogs and partners in advocacy.
In his keynote address, William Y. Boeh, Deputy Director of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, NaFAA, cautioned Liberian Journalists to seek clarity on fisheries issues across Liberia from the Liberian Fisheries Authority.
Boeh informed Journalists at the start of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) two-day investigative journalism workshop on Liberia’s fisheries sector that NaFAA is open to the media community to disclose information on activities of the Liberian Fisheries Authority in fishing communities in Liberia.
He further warned journalists at the two-day investigative workshop that they need to cross check information emulating from fishermen and fishmongers with the fisheries authority for the purpose of writing balance stories for public consumption.
“you need to check the information you gathered from the local fishermen and fishmongers with NaFAA, before broadcasting or publishing your stories to the public. Fishermen and fishmongers sometimes provide journalists with misinformation about the fisheries authority. NaFAA is doing a lot for the fishing community with interventions from its partners including the World Bank, European Union, Icelandic government and others”
Providing an overview of the Liberian Fisheries sector Boeh pointed out that the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has over the years provided support to fishermen and fishmongers through the distribution of free outboard engines, multifilament nets in exchange of the Monofilament nets, and fish-handling facilities among others.
Additionally, Boeh disclosed that the Liberian Fisheries Authority has also provided technical and financial support to fishermen and fishmongers in Liberia through the provision of grants and training to enhance their ability to properly engage into their selling business.
He urged that journalists can now work with NaFAA to obtain information that will counter what they have gathered from fishing communities across Liberia to provide the public with balance news and information on the fisheries sector.
“let’s work together to provide the public with the right information on the Liberian fisheries sector. NaFAA is”
EJF is implementing Communities for Fisheries, a five-year, seven-month European Union-funded project in Margibi, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, and Grand Kru, to reduce illegal fishing and improve the sustainability of fisheries by expanding and strengthening community co-management associations (CMA), creating effective capacity for community monitoring and reporting of illegal fishing.
As part of the Communities for Fisheries project, the Environmental Justice Foundation is seeking to increase media coverage of the fisheries sector to promote transparency and accountability in Liberia’s fisheries. To achieve this aim, EJF seeks to build on the established relationship with the media in Liberia to increase
