MONROVIA – The President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Julius Kanubah, has called on the Boakai administration to urgently address the worsening financial and structural challenges confronting Liberia’s media industry, warning that the viability of journalism and free expression is at serious risk. Speaking at the first Presidential Media Dinner hosted by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Kanubah said the government’s indebtedness to media houses, declining advertising revenues, and political interference in community broadcasting are severely undermining press freedom.
Kanubah used the high-profile event, attended by top government officials, media executives, and members of the diplomatic community, to applaud the gesture of open engagement from the presidency. He described the dinner as an important step toward fostering mutual understanding between the government and the media. However, he also stressed that symbolic meetings must be matched by substantive actions, especially in terms of strengthening the sustainability and independence of the press.
He noted that while Liberia has made some progress in safeguarding media rights, the industry remains in a fragile state. Falling advertising revenues, particularly from the government, and the near total withdrawal of international partners such as USAID have created a vacuum that threatens the survival of independent journalism. Many journalists, he warned, are grossly underpaid and lack the resources necessary to uphold professional standards.
Particularly concerning, Kanubah emphasized, is the interference faced by community radio stations from local officials, especially County Superintendents. He warned that such meddling poses a direct threat to press freedom and the public’s access to independent information in the rural parts of Liberia. He called on President Boakai to ensure that community media are protected and allowed to function without political pressure.
Kanubah also underscored the need to reform the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), calling for its transformation into a true public service broadcaster that reflects the interests of all Liberians, not just those of the sitting government. He argued that this transformation is vital for deepening democratic accountability and fostering a more informed population.
Beyond the media-specific concerns, the PUL President drew attention to the broader issue of governance. He urged the Boakai administration to remain unflinching in its respect for the rule of law, emphasizing that no sustainable progress can be achieved without a legal system that upholds justice, fights corruption, and protects civil liberties.
Kanubah ended his remarks with a call for a shared commitment to building a freer, more vibrant, and more resilient media landscape. Echoing President Boakai’s own words from earlier in the evening, he declared it time for Liberia to “Think the Media, Love the Media, and Build the Media.”
