FOYA TV

https://www.facebook.com/100063570759292/posts/824567163005635/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Many years ago I faced the biggest fear of my life.

There is a mansion that exists in my village, very close to our family house in Foya District, Lofa County, Liberia.

According to history, it was formerly a king's palace. He died mysteriously in the palace along with 6 of his servants, wives, and 7 Children. History has it that he was murdered alongside his family in cold blood right in the house.

When the new king was crowned he refused to remain in the palace of a murdered king, instead, he built for himself a new palace and left the palace of the new king deserted and the gates locked. No one was allowed into the house to clean or touch it.

Months later, people reported that they heard voices in the kings palace and felt someone had gone there to live inside.

The new king sent guards to that palace but they never returned. The gate was shut close before the very eyes of the villagers standing outside.

It was at that point, people realized that the king's spirit still lived in the palace.

Many years passed and my parents and I traveled to the village. I was fifteen by this time and had totally ignored this story. As someone who had gotten used to city life, I ignored the tales of ghosts and spirits haunting mansions and took them as stories meant to scare people.

While plucking mangoes one evening, I heard the sounds of children in the compound. From the tree, I could see the compound but couldn't see the children.

So I decided to scale the fence to take a look properly. The moment my feet landed on the floor of the palace, I felt a wind blow right through me. I heard my name twice. It felt like my mother's voice.

I answered.

"Ma" and ran towards the entrance of the palace.

As I approached, the door opened on its own and I ran into the large quiet palace only to hear the door close behind me. It was the strong sound that made me shudder in fear.

I saw skulls of humans in the house. Shoes and slippers scattered.

Suddenly I heard laughter.

I heard screams.

I heard my father's voice. It appeared he was talking to someone upstairs.

Then I heard my name again and a sudden pat on my shoulders.

I fell backward and screamed

"Jesus."

I heard a sound of laughter echo upstairs.

Sounds of running feet circled me. Yet I was not able to see anyone close to me.

I quickly stood up and ran to the entrance of the door dragged it open and ran out screaming.

All I kept shouting was Jesus!

I shouted as loud as I could.

As I ran, I felt a wind slow me down. It was as if my feet were being held. I quickly jumped and grabbed the fence of the house and rolled myself over the fence to the other side.

I fell right on my stomach in my compound.

The first person who saw me was my father. He was just stepping out of the house. He screamed for help and everyone in the house rushed out.

My white cloth was covered in blood.

Mysterious marks appeared on my body.

I was asked what I saw, and all I told them were skulls of humans, a sword, and what seemed to be a warrior's cloth and shoes.

At that point, my dad confirmed that the history he was told as a child was real.

No one till today believed I escaped that.

So we never told the story to anyone else till date.

That palace still exists till today and no one has dared to enter.

This is total lies that you just read because I realized that people don't read anymore till the end.

There is a country called LIB and it is my contribution to help you read. It's not only news about Weah, JNB and others that you will be rushing to read.

©️ B.N TUMBAY.

https://www.facebook.com/216186039273226/posts/966847167540439/

Monrovia, Liberia (January 12, 2022)

ArcelorMittal Temporarily suspends Rail Operations After Fatal Locomotive Clash

Amidst overnight evacuation of wounded employees following early Tuesday January 11, 2022, morning locomotive clash in Nimba County, ArcelorMittal Liberia says it has temporarily suspended rail operations and will continue to support its employees in this terrible period of grief.

In a press release Tuesday evening, ArcelorMittal stated that indeed rail equipment carrying maintenance crew came in contact with loaded wagons stationed on the rail line, resulting to serious injuries to six AML employees around Kilometer 196 in Nimba County.

The release further stated that ArcelorMittal Liberia’s emergency response and technical teams responded and the injured were evacuated from the scene for medical care.

ArcelorMittal however confirmed that two of its committed staff succumbed to their injuries after being medically evacuated by helicopter to hospital. Report however indicated that at least three employees of ArcelorMittal are fear dead following medical attention.

AML further assured that it would continue to work closely with the dedicated medical professionals to treat the injured and have put in place plans for possible evacuation of the injured to adjacent countries for advanced medical care, if recommended by doctors.

It is also reported that overnight evacuation plan for neighboring Ivory Coast did not materialized up to press time.

The company extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and solicits the prayers of all for the recovery of our colleagues as they are being cared for in the hospital.

Late Tuesday, January 11,202, the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper reported that injuries of scrolls of employees of ArcelorMittal at the result of another train accident which occurred in the Ganta, Nimba region enroute to the port City of Buchanan after two locomotives collapsed.

Eyewitnesses told I Reporters that the incident occurred at about 4:00A.M. Tuesday, January 11,2022 amidst heavy dew covering and poor communication with rail control.

According to sources from the scene of the accident, scrolls of persons with deep wounds were taken at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (J.F.K.) for treated.

However, Medical sources informed the Journalists later that authorities of ArcelorMittal have initially ordered an immediate evacuation of at least for eight of its seriously injured senior staff to neighboring Ivory Coast, even though ArcelorMittal has reported six seriously injured.

One of the dead reported from the fatal crash is a popular rail road engineer identified as MacDonald and two unidentified foreign nationals presuming from Pakistan were fear dead.

This train accident brings to four the number of train accident sustained by ArcelorMittal since its operations in 2005.

It may be recalled, a locomotive of steel giant ArcelorMittal Liberia was in September 2021, involved in an accident along the Sanniquellie- Ganta highway in Nimba County. No fatality was reported.

This train accident brings to four the number of train accident sustained by ArcelorMittal since its operations in 2005.

It may be recalled, a locomotive of steel giant ArcelorMittal Liberia was in September 2021, involved in an accident along the Sanniquellie- Ganta highway in Nimba County. No fatality was reported.

The accident transpired at about 8 pm on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, specifically near Gbedin Camp ( 3) in district # 2, Nimba, leading the mining company to halt transportation of ores from Yekepa, Nimba County to Grand Bassa County.

It is understood that since ArcelorMittal signed a mining concession with the Government of Liberia about 10 years ago, it has carried on minor renovation at its concession area in Yekepa, Nimba and the rail route it uses to transport ores to the Port of Buchanan in Grand Bassa for shipment.

ArcelorMittal Liberia in a press release Wednesday, September 22, 2021, following report that one of its locomotives traveling from Tokadeh in Nimba County to Buchanan was targeted by criminal activities that resulted in an incident on the rail tracks about Kilometer 215 near Sanniquellie.

It says the presumed target of these criminals were the tarpaulins covering the iron ore wagons to keep out moisture from the iron ore, detailing that during this blatant attack, some of the moving wagons were deliberately disconnected from its braking systems and veered off the rail track, resulting in damage to a portion of the rail line. No fatalities or injuries were reported.January 12, 2022

https://www.facebook.com/216186039273226/posts/966366487588507/

Monrovia-Liberia (January 11, 2022)

Three Fear Dead, Several On Critical List, As Arcelormittal Train Make Another Tragic Accident

Creable report from Nimba County says several employees of ArcelorMittal are critically wounded as a result of a tragic train accident which also resulted to the death of at least three persons including a foreign nationals.

Some eyes witness told Jounalists that the incident occurred at abouut 4:00A.M. Tuesday, January 11,2022.

According to sources from the scene of the accident, scrolls of persons with deep wounds were taken at the John F. Kenneduy Medical Center (J.F.K.) for treated.
Medical sources has since informed the Journalists that authorities of ArcelorMittal have now ordered an immediate evacuation of at least eight senior staff who are critically wounded to neighboring Ivory Coast.

A popular rail road engineer identified as MacDonald and two unidentified foreign nationals are fear dead.
This train accident brings to four the number of train accident sustained by ArcelorMittal since its operations in 2005.

It may be recalled that a locomotive of steel giant ArcelorMittal Liberia was in September 2021, involved in an accident along the Sanniquellie- Ganta highway in Nimba County. No fatality was reported.

The accident transpired at about 8 pm on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, specifically near Gbedin Camp ( 3) in district # 2, Nimba, leading the mining company to halt transportation of ores from Yekepa, Nimba County to Grand Bassa County.

It is understood that since ArcelorMittal signed a mining concession with the Government of Liberia about 10 years ago, it has carried on minor renovation at its concession area in Yekepa, Nimba and the rail route it uses to transport ores to the Port of Buchanan in Grand Bassa for shipment.

ArcelorMittal Liberia in a press release Wednesday, September 22, 2021, following report that one of its locomotives traveling from Tokadeh in Nimba County to Buchanan was targeted by criminal activities that resulted in an incident on the rail tracks about Kilometer 215 near Sanniquellie.

It says the presumed target of these criminals were the tarpaulins covering the iron ore wagons to keep out moisture from the iron ore, detailing that during this blatant attack, some of the moving wagons were deliberately disconnected from its braking systems and veered off the rail track, resulting in damage to a portion of the rail line. No fatalities or injuries were reported.

https://www.facebook.com/107742117505428/posts/396364558643181/

The administration of the Liberia Multimedia Institute wishes to inform all old and new students that registration and readmission for the October-November training cycle is now on going at our new office, Gardnesvillie Supermarket, Small St Michael Junction.

LMI INC. is a media development institution that is registered with the government of Liberia and accredited by the Ministry of Education to offer Diploma in modern Journalism And Communication.

The school offers the following courses:

Introduction to Communication and Journalism, Radio & TV presentation, News Writing and reading, Media Law and Ethics, Interview Techniques, Radio/TV Talk Show Hosting, Disc Joking skills, Video /Audio production, Photo Journalism, Photo Editing & Graphic Designing, Website designing, Social Media content management & Online Journalism, etc.

The school runs Monday through Saturday, 8am-8pm.

And for our Specialized Training in Multimedia Journalism, we offered the following:

1. Advance Audio Editing/ Production
2. Video Editing/ Production
3. Graphics Design/ Newspaper Layout
4. Photo Editing and designing
5. Blogging/ Online Journalism
6. YouTube/Social media upload and download 7. Photo Journalism
8. Drone control and piloting
9. Film making, movies acting and directing
10. Social media online content Management and Public Relations etc.
11. Public Relations and advertsiment
12. DSTV/ CCTV Instillation
13. Events Planing and Management
etc.
Learn any of the above courses for just $75.00 USD and become a professional career person. Classes run between the periods of 8-12 weeks (Only Saturdays) with a diploma.

Under our Film Making /Movie Acting and theater arts course, we offered:

Introduction to film making, General film making skills, Acting as a career, Storytelling, Directing, Script writing, Basic camera operating skills, Film shooting skills, Camera shots and angles, Lighting and sound control, costume, Make up and props, Marketing and production skills.

Lean all of the above for just $75.00 Liberian Dollars.

With our modern practical studio and digital equipment, (cameras, lights, flites, tripods monopods, transmitters, computers), meant to build the capacities of students and those desirous of becoming professional Multimedia and Communication specialist to face the job market as we are just the right place.

Our training is sprightly practical based, one person to a laptop and our learning environment is very ideal.

Registration is in progress, pick up the information sheet today on the school campus, Gardnerville Supermarket, Small St. Michael Junction, Japanese Freeway, Monday through Saturday 8am-8pm or for more information, please Contact the school on cell # 0776535703/0886535703

At LMI, We Mold Minds & Bring Dreams To Reality
Rush now to register to bring your dream to reality.

Signed: Miss Vero Morris
LMI Coordinator

https://www.facebook.com/107742117505428/posts/372373341042303/

The Liberia Multimedia Institute (LMI) wishes to inform the public that registration for its short term and advance multimedia Journalism training is in process.

Courses offered include:

1. Advance Audio Editing/ Production

2. Video Editing/ Production

3. Graphics Design/ Newspaper Layout

4. Photo Editing and designing

5. Blogging/ Online Journalism

6. YouTube/Social media upload and download

7. Photo Journalism

8. Drone control and piolatting

9. Film making, movies acting and Directing.

10. Social media online content Management and Public Relations etc.

Learn any of the above courses for just $75.00 USD and become a professional career person.

Classes run between the period of 8-12 weeks (Only Saturdays) with a diploma.
With our modern practical studio and digital equipment, (camerals, lights, filtes, trapods monopods, transimittors, computers), meant to build the capacities of students and those desirious of becoming professional Multimedia and Communication specialist to face the job market, we are just the right place.

Our training is strightly practical based, one person to a laptop and our learning environment is very ideal.

Registration is in progress, pick up the information sheet today on the school campus, Gardnesvillie Supermarket, Small St. Michael Junction, Japanese Freeway, Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm or for more information, please Contact the school on cell # 0776535703/0886535703
At LMI, We Mold Minds & Bringing Dreams To Reality

Signed:
Miss. Vero Morris, National Coordinator, LMI

WOW, it was great been interviewed by an ICON in the Media Landscape of Liberia Matthias F. Larbeindee on the Straight From The Heart on Sky 107.1 FM from 8:00Am-9:00AM (this morning) relating to the Lunching of a Media Development Institution (the Liberia Multimedia Institute), our activities, programs and next plan of action. Many thanks to the Management of SKY COMMUNICATION INC. and also to the many callers. LMI, "Molding Mind's and Bringing Dreams to Reality".

The Liberia Multimedia Institute (LMI) wishes to inform the public that registration for its short term and advance multimedia Journalism training courses is in process.
Classes starts on Saturday, July 31, 2021 on the School Campus, St. Michael Junction, Supermarket, Gardnesvill.
Internship is free of charge at Queen' fm and King's TV.

Courses include:

1. Advance Audio Editing/ Production

2. Video Editing/ Production

3. Graphics Design/ Newspaper Layout

4. Photo Editing and designing

5. Blogging/ Online Journalism

6. YouTube/Social media upload and download

7. Photo Journalism

8. Drone control and piolatting

9. Film making and movies acting and Directing.

Learn all of the above courses for just $75.00 USD plus other requirements, Classes run between 8-12 weeks (Only Saturdays) with a diploma.
At the same time, our regular computer and film making classes run for 3 days a week.
Our training is strightly practical based, one person to a laptop and our learning environment is very ideal.
Registration is in Progress.

For more information, please Contact the school on cell # 077 878 5791/ 0886535703/0886535703
Signed: Miss. Vero Morris- Coordinator, LMI
Motto: "Molding Minds & Bringing Dreams To Reality"

The Liberia Multimedia Institute (LMI) wishes to inform the public that registration for its short term and advance multimedia Journalism training courses is in process.
Classes starts this Saturday, January 16th, 2021 on the School Campus in New Georgia Estate, behind the Palave Hut.

Courses include:
1. Advance Audio Editing/ Production

2. Video Editing/ Production

3. Graphics Design/ Newspaper Layout

4. Photo Editing and designing

5. Blogging/ Online Journalism
Photo

6. YouTube/Social media upload and download etc.

Learn all of the above courses for just $75.00 USD plus other requirements, Classes run between 8-12 weeks (Only Saturdays) with a diploma.
At the same time, our regular computer and film making classes run for 3 days a week.
Our training is strightly practical based, one person to a laptop and our learning environment is very ideal.
Registration is in Progress.

For more information, please Contact the school on cell # 077 878 5791/ 0886535703/0886535703
Signed: Miss. Vero Morris- Coordinator, LMI
Motto: "Molding Minds & Bringing Dreams To Reality"

The Liberia Multimedia Institute (LMI) wishes to inform the public that registration for its short term and advance multimedia Journalism training courses is in process and classes starts this Saturday, January 9th, 2021 on the School Campus in New Georgia Estate.

Courses include:
1. Advance Audio Editing/ Production

2. Video Editing/ Production

3. Graphics Design/ Newspaper Layout

4. Photo Editing and designing

5. Blogging/ Online Journalism
Photo

6. YouTube/Social media upload and download etc.

Learn all of the above courses for just $75.00 USD, Classes run between 6-8 weeks (Only Saturdays) with a diploma.

Our training is strightly practical based, one person to a laptop and our learning environment is very ideal.

For more information, please Contact the school on cell # 077 878 5791/ 0886535703/0886535703
Signed: Miss. Vero Morris- Coordinator, LMI
Motto: "Molding Minds & Bringing Dreams To Reality"

https://www.facebook.com/107742117505428/posts/181511286795177/

KEYNOTE SPEECH AT THE 56TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA (PUL):

1. OPENING STATEMENT (START WITH A VERY POWERFUL QUOTE):
I COME TO YOU WITH GREAT HUMBLENESS AND APPRECIATION! IT IS NOT BY MISTAKE NEITHER IS IT A COINCIDENCE THAT WE ARE GATHER HERE TODAY. THIS DAY AND MOMENT WAS CLEARLY OSCHESTRATED BY THE HANDYWORKS OF THE GREAT AND ALMIGHTY JEHOVAH, ABOVE WHOM THERE IS NO OTHER GOD AND AT THE SOUND OF HIS NAME ALL OTHER GODS SHALL BOW. LET US HONOR THE LORD BY HAVING A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND ALSO IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE OF YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE FIGHT FOR THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, AND THOSE WHO HAVE LOSS THEIR LIVES TO COVID-19 IN LIBERIA, THE DIASPORA AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
THE REALIZATION OF A FLOURISHING DEMOCRACY REQUIRES IMPARTIAL JOURNALISM AND A CHANGE THAT BEGINS WITH EACH OF YOU.
BEING THAT CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN OUR SOCIETY IS CONSIDERED GODLY AND PATRIOTIC. BEING GODLY AND PATRIOTIC CHALLENGES US TO TAKE ACTIONS, BOARD STEPS, AND SACREFACES. I AM HERE TO MOTIVATE YOU TO BE THAT CHANGE TODAY. I DON’T WANT YOU TO JUST TALK ABOUT THE CHANGE, WHERE I COME FROM AND WHAT I REPRESENT HAS EARN ME THE NICKNAME “DR. CASSELL TALK AND DO.” THEREFORE, I WANT TO INSPIRE AND HELP YOU RECOMMIT TO BE THAT CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN OUR COUNTRY- LIBERIA THROUGH JOURNALISM.
BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I LIKE TO THANK YOUR DISTINGUISHED PRESIDENT MR. COFFEY-PRESIDENT OF THE PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA AND THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA AT HOME AND IN THE DIASPORA.
ALSO, I LIKE TO COMMEND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU JOURNALISTS FOR YOUR RELENTLESS SACRAFICES MADE TO REPORT EVENTS UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS; THE HARDSHIPS, INTIMIDATIONS, AND THREATS THAT YOU EXPERIENCE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

FASCINATING FACTS OR STUNNING STATS:
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, THERE’S A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT MASS MEDIA PLAYS AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS OF POLITICS (VOLTMER, 1998).
QUESTION: LET ME ASK YOU ALL THIS, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF THE ESSENTIAL ROLES OF THE MEDIA IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS OF POLITICS?
• MEDIA CREATES AND SHAPES PUBLIC OPINION AND STRENGTHENING OF SOCIETY.
• MEDIA IS A SWORD ARM OF DEMOCRACY
• MEDIA ACTS AS WATCHDOG TO PROTECT PUBLIC INTEREST AGAINST MALPRACTICES, CORRUPTION, WASTE AND ABUSE, AND CREATE PUBLIC AWARENESS
• MEDIA PLAYS A FACILITATIVE ROLE IN THAT JOURNALISM IS USED AS A MECHANISM TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, AND SERVES AS A BODY THAT HOLDS COMMUNITY TOGETHERS
• MEDIA ENHANCES THE ABILITY AND DESIRES TO LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT
ASK QUESTIONS: LOOK AT SOMEONE TO YOUR LEFT AND SAY CHANGE SOMETHING
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THIS WORLD. AFTER NARROWLY ESCAPING THE DEATH CHAMBERS IN 1990 BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I SPENT 25-UNBROKEN YEARS IN THE DIASPORA GOING TO SCHOOL, WORKING RELENTLESSLY, AND ESTABLISHING TWO HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT OPERATES SIX LICENSED AND JOINT COMMISSION ACCREDITED (JCOH) INTENSIVE/OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS CLINICS WITHOUT A LEGAL IMMIGRATION STATUS. I ALSO HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SUPPORTIVE GOD-FEARING WIFE AND SIX FANTASTICS KIDS, AND A VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CAREERS. WITH ALL OF THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SUCCESSES, WHY DID I COME BACK TO LIBERIA? THE ANSWER IS PLAIN AND SIMPLE, I CAME BACK BECAUSE I KNEW THAT SOMETHINGS NEEDED TO CHANGE WITHIN OUR LIBERIAN SOCIETY AND THE ONLY WAY THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WAS IF I CAME BACK HOME AND DEMONSTRATE TO MY FELLOW LIBERIANS THAT I WAS WILLING TO BEGIN THAT CHANGE WITH ME. I HAD TO BE THE CHANGE, AND I AM HERE TODAY TO CHALLENGE YOU TO BE THAT CHANGE AS WELL.
MESSAGE CONTENTS:
TODAY, I COME TO SPEAK TO YOU ON THE THEME: IMPARTIAL JOURNALISM CONTRIBUTES TO FLOURISHING DEMOCRACY: WHY STAY INDEPENDENT?
AS YOU CELEBRATE THE 56TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA (PUL) IN OBSERVANCE OF YOUR LIFELONG ADVOCACY FOR FREE EXPRESSION, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND JOURNALISTS’ SAFETY AS THE CORE TENENTS OF YOUR EXISTENCE, I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE A RETROSPECTIVE SUMMARY OF YOUR STRUGGLES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES NOT ONLY TO REMIND YOU OF THE SACRIFACES ENDURED BY YOUR FALLEN COMRADS, BUT TO MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE YOU TO BE THAT CHANGE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE FLOURISHING DEMOCRACY THAT WE ALL ENVISION OF OUR NATION.
THE PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA (PUL) IS A RELATIVELY YOUNG ORGANIZATION CONSIDERING IT’S 56TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY TODAY (LET’S GIVE A HAND OF APPLAUSE TO THAT SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE).
2. HISTORICAL FACTS OF THE MEDIA IN LIBERIA AND CHALLENGES FACED OVER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AS WELL AS THE CURRENT:
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDIA REFORM IN LIBERIA HAS BEEN FACED WITH MANY STRUGGLES OVER THE PAST DECADES.
FIRST HALF OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY:
• DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY (KING AND BARCLAYS ERAS), THERE WAS RELATIVELY FREE PRESS (INNES 2005). HOWEVER, THIS FREEDOM WAS SHORTLIVED AS YOU WOULD LATER FIND OUT.
TUBMAN’S ERA:
• DURING THE SECOND HALF OF THE TUBMAN’S PRESIDENCY BETWEEN 1944 AND 1971 (ROGERS 1986: 277), THIS ERA MARKS THE BIRTH OF SYSTEMATIC INTERVENING AND HARRASSING OF JOURNALISTS; FREEDOM OF PRESS WAS NOT REGARDED AS A RIGHT BUT CONSIDERED TO BE A PRIVILEGE THAT WAS PROVIDED ONLY BY THE PRESIDENT (INNES 2005), AND TUBMAN’S GOVERNMENT HAD IT’S OWN NEWSPAPERS THAT WAS PRIMARILY DESIGNED TO RUN HIS PROPAGANDA AND IDEOLOGY, HINDER OPPOSITIONAL MEDIA AND PUNISHED CRITICAL JOURNALISTS.
• DESPITE THOSE CHALLENGES, YOU WERE DETERMINED TO BE THAT CHANGE AS YOU PUSHED BACK WITH YOUR CRITICAL PRESS DUTIES. THIS SERVED AS A TROJECTORY IN ESTABLISHING THE PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA (PUL) FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFENDING AND PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF JOURNALISTS (DEDDEH, 2000: 165-6).
PRESIDENT TOLBERT’S ERA:
• TOLBERT’S GOVERNMENT HELD MONOPOLY IN RADIO BROADCASTING THROUGH THE STATE-OWNED AND OPERATED LIBERIAN BROADCASTING SYSTEM (LBS).
• ITS ONLY COMPETITORS WERE THE PROTESTANT MISSIONARY BROADCASTER ETERNAL LOVE WINNING AFRICA (ELWA), VOICE OF AMERICA (VOA) AND ELCM THE CATHOLIC DIOCESES COMMUNITY RADIO STATION.
• THESE COMPETITORS INITIALLY STARTED AS RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS, THEY LATER PROVIDED COVERAGES ON SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES.
• EVEN AT THAT, THE COVERAGES WERE LIMITED IN REPORTING ON THE DEPTH AND BREATH OF EVENTS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED FROM THE PLATFORM OF PRIVATELY OWNED LIBERIAN BROADCASTING RADIO STATIONS.
PRESIDENT DOE’S ERA:
• DOE’S ERA WAS NOTORIOUS FOR REPRESSION OF THE MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS.
• CRACKDOWNS AND RESTRICTIONS ON MASS MEDIA SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED
• FREEDOM OF THE PRESS WAS PAID LIPS SERVICE TO.
• THE GOVERNMENT GAVE SECURITY FORCES THE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO ARREST AND DETAIN ANY PERSON FOUND SPREADING WHAT THEY CONSIDERED AS RUMOURS, LIES AND MISINFORMATION AGAINST ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL BY WORD OF MOUTH, WRITING OR PUBLIC BROADCAST (INNES 2002: 10) HOW ABOUT THAT?
• DOE ASSERTED HIS CONTROL OVER THE MEDIA BY USING BRUTALITY AND UTILIZED RADIO BROADCASTING TO CIRCULATE HIS PROPAGANDA TO THE ILLITERATE LIBERIANS AND THOSE LIVING IN THE RURAL AREAS BY SETTING UP RURAL RADIO NETWORK, THE LIBERIAN RURAL COMMUNICATION NETWORK (LRCN).
PRESIDENT TAYLOR’S ERA:
• TAYLOR’S ERA WAS MARKED BY LAWLESSNESS AND VIOLENCE.
• THE LIVES OF THE PRESS WERE FREQUENTLY THREATENED AND, IN SOME CASES, LIVES WERE LOST.
• LOUTING AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTIES WAS WIDESPREAD
• FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA SIGNIFICANTLY SHRANKED
• JOURNALISTS WERE UNDER SEVERE PRESSURE TO JOIN ONE OF THE WARRING FACTIONS OR FACE RETRIBUTION AND WERE USED AS CONDUITS THROUGH WHICH VERBAL ATTACKS OF THE WARRING FACTIONS WERE PUBLICIZED AND AMPLIFIED (DEDDEH 2000: 161-2)
• TAYLOR ENGAGED IN MEDIA MONOPOLY BY SEIZING RADIO FACILITIES THAT HE COULD CONTROL AND USE FOR HIS OWN PURPOSE; DESTROYED AND LOUTED OTHERS THAT HE COULDN’T CONTROL IN ORDER TO DEPRIVED HIS OPPONENTS OF THESE RESOURCES (INNES 2003: 2).
• RADIO STATIONS WERE THREATENED REPEATEDLY AND AT TIMES PERMINENTLY CLOSED FOR THE REST OF TAYLOR’S ADMINISTRATION: RADIO VERITAS WAS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE WRAITH OF THE TAYLOR’S ADMINISTRATION
OVERALL, THE MEDIA WAS USED DECISIVELY TO PROPERGATE AND RE-ELECT TAYLOR
• AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WARRING FACTIONS AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE PEACE KEEPING FORCE, THE PRESS RE-EMMERGED AND SOMEWHAT BECAME VIBRANT IN ITS ADVOCACY AND PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF FREE SPEECH. HOWEVER, THIS EFFORT WAS LIMITED TO MONROVIA DUE TO ECONOMIC AND SAFETY CONSTRAINS

PRESIDENT JOHNSON-SIRLEEF ERA:
• FOLLOWING THE END OF THE CIVIL WAR AND BEGINNING OF THE SIRLEEF’S PRESIDENCY IN 2006, MEDIA FREEDOM INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
• WHILE SOME PROGRESS WAS MADE BY THE PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA (PUL) IN TERMS OF CRAFTING MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO THE MEDIA LAWS, HOWEVER, THERE WERE STILL WIDESPREAD VIOLATIONS OF JOURNALISTS’ RIGHTS.
PRESIDENT WEAH’S ERA:
• INTIMIDATIONS, CENSORSHIPS, THREATS TO REVOKE OPERATIONAL LICENSES AND REVOKATION OF OPERATIONAL LICENSES,
• RECENT ARMED ROBBERY


3. CLOSING CONTENTS:
AS YOU COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE 56TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA (PUL), LET THIS DAY BE MARKED AS THE SOUND OF THE “TRUMPET CALL TO DUTY.” WHAT IS THIS CALL TO DUTY? THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION IS ONE THAT REQUIRES DEEP SELF-REFLECTION, DEEP SELF-EVALUATION, DEEP COMMITMENT, DIVERSITY OF TOPICS-SUBJECTS OR ACTORS IN THE STORIES AND SOURCES, OBJECTIVE AND QUALITY ASPECTS OF REPORTING, COMPREHENSIVENESS OF INFORMATION, ETC.
LET NOT THE SACRAFICES AND LIVES THAT WERE LOSS BY THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE YOU GO TO WASTE, BE THE CHANGE THEY LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR.
• DO NOT JOIN THE UNINFORMED AND UNEDUCATED SYMPATHIZERS IN MARKETING AND PROMOTING WAR LORDS DESPITE THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED AGAINST YOUR FELLO CITIZENS, ECONOMIC CRIMINALS WHO DESPITE LOATING THE COUNTRY’S FINANCES AND SPINNING LIES AND FEEDING THE PUBLIC WITH ALTERNATIVE TRUTH CONTINUE TO BE REWARDED WITH SOME OF THE HIGHEST OFFICES IN THE LAND,
• DO NOT JOIN HANDS IN PROMOTING POLITICAL ACTORS/ACTRESSES WHO DESPITE THEIR LACK OF QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCE HAVE BEEN REWARDED WITH EXECUTIVE, LEGISTATIVE AND OTHER TOP LEVEL GOVERNMENTAL POSITIONS,
• DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PLATFORM TO BE USED BY POLITICAL ACTORS/ACTRESSES WHO TAKE ADVANCE OF THE POVERTY AND SUFFERING OF THE CITIZENS TO ONLY PROVIDE HANDOUTS-MONEY AND BAGS OF RICE DURING ELECTION TIME AND NEVER CARE ABOUT ADDRESSING THE REAL ISSUES THAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS FACE,
• INSTEAD, USE YOUR VARIOUS PLATFORMS TO ADVOCATE AND BE THAT VOICE FOR OUR VOICELESS, OPPRESSED, AND ABUSED BROTHERS-SISTERS-MOTHERS-FATHERS-SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO HAVE BEEN OSTRACIZED AND CALLED DERROGATORY NAMES SUCH AS ZOGOS BY NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN BUT RATHER A DIRECT RESULT OF THE REACTIONARY FORMATION OF OUR PAST CIVIL WARS, BROKEN ECONOMY, AND FAILED GOVERNANCE
• I URGE YOU TO RENEW THE PUBLIC’S FAITH AND HOPE IN THE MEDIA THROUGH YOUR UNIFIED VOICES AND PLATFORMS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AS WE CONCLUDE TODAY’S EVENT MARKING YOUR 56TH ANNIVERSARY IN RESPONSE TO THE SOUND OF YOUR TRUMPET CALL TO DUTY, I URGE YOU TO BE THAT CHANGE. AS I’VE EMBARKED ON THE JOURNEY TO BE THAT CHANGE IN COMING BACK HOME TO REBUILD OUR MOTHER’S LAND THROUGH MY HUMANITARIAN FOUNDATION, IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOU’LL ALSO BE THAT CHANGE IN PERFORMANING YOUR MEDIA DUTIES. YOU CAN BE THAT CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE BY TAKING ONE STEP AT A TIME. YOU CAN BE THAT CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN OUR SOCIETY BY MAKING A RECOMMITMENT TO YOUR ROLES AND FUNCTIONS IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
• YOU CAN BE THAT CHANGE BY USING YOUR INFORMATION POWER TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON GOOD GOVERNANCE, WASTE AND ABUSE OF THE COUNTRY’S RESOURCES, ETC.
• YOU CAN BE THAT CHANGE BY CALLING OUT PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND ADMINISTRATIONS AND POLITICAL ACTORS AND ACTRESSES WHO SPIN LIES AND DECEPTIONS AFTER FAILING TO DELIVER ANY SINGLE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, ENGAGES IN SYSTEMIC VIOLENCE AGAINST INNOCENT CIVILIANS, MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, INABILITY TO ADDRESS THE BASIC PUBLIC HEALTH NEEDS OF THE CITIZENS, ETC.
• YOU CAN BE THAT CHANGE BY HAVING A UNIFIED VOICE DENOUNCING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION AGAINST INNOCENT CITIZENS
• YOU CAN BE THAT CHANGE THROUGH YOUR OBJECTIVE, DIVERSE AND INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING OF EVENTS IN OUR SOCIETY
• YOU CAN BE THAT CHANGE BY BEING PATRIOTIC LIBERIAN IN PUTTING ISSUES OR MATTERS OF OUR COUNTRY ABOVE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS AND POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS
• BEING THAT CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN OUR SOCIETY REQUIRES YOU TO BE GODLY AND PATRIOTIC. WHAT THIS MEANS ARE AS FOLLOWS: PUTTING COUNTRY FIRST OVER POLITICAL AFFILIATION, LENDING YOUR VOICES AND PLATEFORMS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE POOR, DISENFRACHASED AND MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY, LENDING YOUR VOICES AND PLATFORMS TO CALL OUT THE POLITICAL ACTORS/ACTRESSES WHO ARE BEING HAILED AND REWARDED FOR ECONOMIC THEFT, USING YOUR VOICES AND PLATFORMS TO EDUCATE THE CITIZENS ON THE CHARACTERISTICS AND COMPETENCIES NEEDED IS A PERSON WHO IS TO LEAD OUR NATION AND SHOULDN’T BE BASED ON POPULARITY AND PUBLIC SENTIMENTS BECAUSE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THAT CRITERIA,
• BEING THE CHANGE THAT YOU EXPECT TO SEE IN OUR NATION MEANS PUTTING COUNTRY FIRST DESPITE YOUR AFFILIATIONS AND PATRONAGE OF THE RULING POLITICAL PARTY AND THE OPPOSITION PARTIES. WHAT THIS SIMPLY MEANS IS POOR AND SELFISH OR SELF-GRATIFYING DECISIONS MADE BY POLITICAL ACTORS IN AUTHORITY THAT HAVE IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE ECONOMIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND HEALTH INSTITUTIONS OF OUR NATION, AND CONSEQUENTLY RUINE THE LIVES OF THE CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS SHOULD BE MET WITH A UNIFIED FORCE OF THE PRESS, THIS MAY REQUIRE HOLDING OF EMMERGENCY EXECUTIVE MEETINGS TO STRATEGIZE AND SWIFTLY RESPOND WITH ONE UNIFIED VOICE ACROSS THE MASS MEDIA AT HOME AND IN THE DIASPORA.
• ON BEHALF OF DR. CASSELL’S FOUNDATION, ITS BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF, I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT A CHECK IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000.00 US DOLLARS TOWARDS THE SUPPORT OF YOUR SACRIFACES IN PURSUIT OF YOUR MISSION: FREE SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
• IT IS MY FERVENT PRAYER THAT YOU WOULD FATHOM THE COURAGE TO BE THAT CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN OUR SOCIETY BECAUSE THAT CHANGE BEGINS WITH EACH OF US, SO HELP US GOD.
• LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME SPEAK TO YOU AND LENDING ME YOUR LISTENING EARS.