MONROVIA – Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe has raised a serious concern in his commentary, “Mercenary Journalism: A Threat to Liberia’s Progress.” His argument that when journalists sell their voices for political gain they betray democracy is one that resonates deeply in a country still recovering from decades of unrest. It is a reminder that truth in journalism is essential to peace and stability. Yet, while his critique rightly condemns corruption in the media, it paints with a brush so broad that it risks undermining the very institution he seeks to protect.
Labeling large sections of the press as “mercenary” not only overlooks the complex challenges journalists face in Liberia, but it also risks delegitimizing honest reporters who work under extraordinary pressure. To counter Cllr. Gongloe constructively, we must first acknowledge that media ethics in Liberia, like in any democracy, remain a work in progress. However, dismissing the profession wholesale with the term “mercenary journalism” risks silencing voices that continue to hold power accountable despite poor pay, lack of resources, and constant threats.
The reality is that Liberia’s press has long stood as a cornerstone of our fragile democracy. It was journalists who exposed the abuses of the Tubman and Tolbert eras, who challenged the authoritarian decrees of Samuel K. Doe, and who risked their lives during Charles Taylor’s presidency when dissent was often met with violence. History records that during Doe’s regime, newspapers such as The Daily Observer were repeatedly shut down, while journalists like Kenneth Best faced harassment and intimidation. Under Taylor, prominent journalists, including BBC correspondent Robin White and Liberian reporters associated with independent outlets, were threatened or forced into exile for reporting the truth. These experiences illustrate the sacrifices made by the Liberian press to ensure that truth was not buried, even when speaking truth to power carried life-or-death consequences.
To describe the press as mercenary without recognizing this legacy of courage is to ignore the resilience of those who reported despite systemic oppression. Indeed, it was the media, both local and diaspora based, that kept alive debates about human rights abuses, corruption, and governance failures when Liberia teetered on the brink of collapse.
It is important to recognize, too, that the media environment is shaped not only by journalists, but by political actors themselves. Politicians across the spectrum often attempt to influence coverage, sometimes through intimidation, sometimes through patronage. When public officials attempt to dictate narratives, they become complicit in creating the very conditions that breed compromised reporting. Journalism does not exist in a vacuum; it is intertwined with the political culture of accountability, transparency, and respect for press freedom.
Instead of branding journalists as mercenaries, the constructive path forward lies in supporting reforms that improve their professional independence. Liberia’s press corps has long struggled with poor wages and limited institutional support, leaving some practitioners vulnerable to manipulation. Addressing this problem requires more than condemnation; it demands investment in training, fair pay, and stronger protections for independent media houses. Blaming journalists alone while ignoring systemic underfunding and political interference risks making scapegoats out of those struggling to serve the public.
Moreover, journalism should not be judged solely through the lens of political coverage. Across Liberia, reporters document health crises, educational shortcomings, market fluctuations, and the struggles of rural communities. These stories, though less sensational, are vital to shaping informed public debate. To frame the Liberian press as largely mercenary dismisses this broader body of work and discourages the next generation from entering a profession that desperately needs new energy and innovation.
Cllr. Gongloe is right to insist that journalism must be truthful, fair, and transparent. No democracy can thrive when falsehoods dominate the public square. But democracy also requires that we guard against rhetoric that delegitimizes the press as a whole. Criticism of unethical practices should be targeted, evidence-based, and mindful of the broader contributions of Liberian journalism to peace and nation-building.
In the end, the responsibility for clean and credible media rests not just with journalists but with society at large. Citizens must support independent outlets, resist spreading unverified information, and demand transparency not only from the press but also from politicians who often use financial power to sway coverage. Public officials must lead by example, refusing to engage in secret media contracts or backroom payments that compromise editorial independence.
If we want Liberia’s press to be stronger, we must treat it not as an enemy but as a partner in nation-building. Journalists need protection, training, and encouragement, not sweeping labels that cast doubt on their integrity. Yes, unethical practices exist, and they must be rooted out. But the answer is not to discredit journalism wholesale; it is to empower it to live up to its highest ideals.
Liberia’s journey to stability has been long and costly. In that journey, the media has played both flawed and heroic roles. The challenge before us is not to diminish the institution with labels, but to reform it with vision and investment. The press must be held accountable, but it must also be defended. Because without a free, respected, and independent media, the very democracy Cllr. Gongloe seeks to protect will remain vulnerable.
Liberia does not need a war of words between politicians and journalists. It needs a constructive partnership where truth is pursued, power is checked, and citizens are informed. That is the path forward, not through condemnation, but through collaboration.
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