Monrovia – Former Data Minister and veteran journalist Ledgerhood Julius Rennie has known as on the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to take pressing and proactive steps to deal with what he described as “mercenary journalism” within the nation, echoing issues not too long ago raised by human rights lawyer Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
Lately, Gongloe, a famend human rights advocate and former presidential candidate, issued a strongly worded assertion titled “Mercenary Journalism — A Risk to Liberia’s Progress”, wherein he warned that paid propaganda disguised as information was undermining Liberia’s fragile democracy.
“Mercenary journalism is harmful as a result of it turns lies into headlines and fact right into a casualty. It makes unhealthy leaders look good and good leaders look unhealthy. It poisons public debate, undermines honest competitors, and weakens already fragile establishments,” Gongloe cautioned.
The Liberian Folks’s Get together chief linked the observe to the nation’s violent previous, saying the failure of journalists to reveal unhealthy governance contributed to army coups and civil wars that claimed a whole bunch of 1000’s of lives. He proposed a four-point plan, together with zero tolerance for pay-to-publish practices, strict editorial enforcement, citizen help for impartial media, and transparency in authorities dealings with the press.
In response, Rennie—who served as Director Common of the Liberia Broadcasting System earlier than being appointed Data Minister underneath former President George Weah—expressed disappointment over the PUL’s silence greater than 48 hours after Gongloe’s remarks.
“I bear witness to Cllr. Gongloe’s litany of protection of not simply journalists, however freedom of expression and its function in upholding democratic pluralism in Liberia. He suffered personally for his advocacy for human rights and social justice—my utmost salute, Cllr.!” Rennie wrote in a extensively circulated assertion.
Rennie confused that Gongloe’s warning highlights an “unethical and unprofessional observe” that many journalists privately admit exists however are reluctant to confront publicly. He warned that the PUL’s silence dangers eroding public belief within the media.
“If we maintain the general public belief as society’s gatekeepers, then we should come clear after we too fall afoul of such belief. It’s only however the accountable and honorable factor to do. No want for hush hush or tacit silence of admittance,” he famous.
Rennie urged the PUL to behave as a accountable referee, imposing peer overview and sanctioning violators, reminding the Union that with rights and freedoms come equal duty.
