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James C. Dennis, Sr., founding member of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the Union’s third president, passed away in Monrovia on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the age of 95. Known as “Jimmy” to friends and colleagues, he was a visionary whose leadership in the media industry carved a path for press freedom and journalistic excellence in a country where such ideals were hard-won.
Born on November 30, 1929, to Charles C. Dennis, Sr., and Isabell Mary Thompson Dennis, Jimmy spent his formative years in the St. Paul River settlement of Louisiana, Montserrado County. His early education began at his mother’s knee before he and his younger brother, C. Cecil Dennis, Jr., entered the College of West Africa (CWA) in Monrovia. Together, they graduated in 1949, forming lifelong bonds with classmates such as Edwin Jallah and Julia Gibson.
After high school, Jimmy set his sights on studying medicine in the United States. However, his father, Charles C. Dennis, Sr., had other plans. The elder Dennis had recently launched Liberia’s first daily newspaper, The Daily Listener, and envisioned his son taking over the enterprise. Jimmy resisted initially, but during a cross-country tour of the United States with his father, he had a change of heart. “By the time we got through half of the 22 states, my mind was made up,” he recounted in a 2012 interview with the Daily Observer. He switched from medicine to journalism, earning a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Lincoln University in Missouri.
Jimmy’s early career in the U.S. included stints at the St. Louis Argus and the St. Louis American, where he honed his craft. However, his father’s persistent urging—and the encouragement of his wife, Doris J. Cole Dennis—eventually brought him back to Liberia in 1962. Upon assuming leadership of The Daily Listener, Jimmy faced immediate challenges, including unpaid staff and a meager four-page publication. Undeterred, he reorganized the paper, modernized its operations, and grew its size and influence, eventually expanding it to 48 pages.
His tenure at The Daily Listener coincided with Liberia’s tumultuous political landscape under President William V.S. Tubman. As a journalist in a nation where press freedom was a precarious endeavor, Jimmy walked a tightrope between truth-telling and navigating the sensitivities of an authoritarian regime. “We were always careful,” he once admitted. “But being careful did not mean silence. It meant finding ways to speak truth without sparking unnecessary retaliation.”
In 1964, Jimmy, alongside other stalwarts like Henry B. Cole and Tuan Wreh, co-founded the Press Union of Liberia (PUL). The founding of the Union was prompted by the jailing of Journalist Stanton Peabody (now deceased) after he wrote a news article describing a group of lawmakers at the time as “radical”.
Elected as the union’s third president in 1966, Jimmy became its longest-serving leader, holding the position until 1980. His tenure marked a pivotal era in the PUL’s history, during which he championed press freedom and advocated for journalistic integrity.
One of his defining moments as PUL president came when he confronted President Tubman over the imprisonment of journalist Tuan Wreh. Tubman had ordered Wreh’s arrest following a controversial article. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Jimmy personally traveled to the president’s retreat in Totota to appeal for Wreh’s release. The encounter was fraught with tension, but Jimmy’s humility and diplomatic finesse prevailed. Tubman ordered Wreh’s release, demonstrating the PUL president’s ability to balance advocacy with tact.
Jimmy’s leadership extended beyond the newsroom. In 1967, he led a PUL delegation to the International Association of Journalists (IAJ) conference in Stockholm, Sweden, where Liberia was formally admitted as a member. The delegation’s success was celebrated by President Tubman, underscoring the importance of Liberia’s participation on the global media stage.
In addition to his work at The Daily Listener, Jimmy founded Palm Magazine in 1964, a monthly publication that later became a quarterly. The magazine was a reflection of his commitment to elevating Liberia’s intellectual discourse, featuring articles on culture, politics, and development.
Jimmy’s contributions to journalism were deeply personal. He often mentored young journalists, including Kenneth Y. Best, founder of the Daily Observer. In a letter to Best, Jimmy wrote, “The awards and recognitions you have received are most certainly deserving. I am proud to sit with you and discuss the kind of journalism that needs to be practiced in our country.”
Jimmy’s career unfolded against the backdrop of Liberia’s one-party state, where press freedom was neither guaranteed nor celebrated. Yet, he managed to maintain a delicate balance, using his platform to inform and educate while avoiding outright censorship. His approach was shaped by the reality that journalism in Liberia was not “granted on a silver platter,” as he often said.
Jimmy’s life intersected with major historical events, including the 1980 coup that overthrew President William R. Tolbert, Jr. The coup claimed the life of Jimmy’s younger brother, C. Cecil Dennis, Jr., who was among the government officials executed by the military junta led by Master Sargent Samuel Kanyon Doe. The tragedy marked a somber chapter in Jimmy’s life, one that underscored the fragility of Liberia’s political landscape.
Despite personal and professional challenges, Jimmy remained committed to his craft. His tenure at the PUL, his leadership of The Daily Listener, and his role in founding Palm Magazine left an indelible mark on Liberia’s media landscape. His ability to navigate the complexities of the Tubman era while advancing press freedom serves as a testament to his resilience and vision.
James C. Dennis, Sr., was married to Kathryn White-Dennis, but they later divorced. He is survived three children: Peta J. Dennis Murray, Charles C. Dennis III, Roger C. Dennis. His other three children, James C. Dennis Jr., Hussein E. Dennis and Cambric Ion Dennis, predeceased him. His legacy as a journalist, entrepreneur, and advocate for press freedom will continue to inspire future generations of Liberian journalists.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
* This article was updated based on corrections from the family.
