LMC Sets Media Legacy for Africa

…As PUL Promises Reckless Journalists Tougher Measures 26-Aug-’11 (Monrovia): The Liberia Media Center (LMC) today, Friday, inaugurated its Election Reporting Center with the LMC’s Executive Director Lawrence Randall saying the opening of the modern center is evident of the institution's effort at building a media legacy for African

In his remarks, Randall said, “Today, Liberia is the first country to have a Media Quality Rating system in the West African Region. We were the first country to have conducted a comprehensive assessment of media coverage of Truth Commissions. Also, we were the first country to have a homegrown and tailored guide on reporting of the Poverty Reduction Strategy,” Mr. Randall told the official program of the LMC’s Sixth Anniversary Program. Held on the theme, “Strengthened Media for Transparent Elections,” the Sixth Anniversary Program of the LMC brought together an array of government officials, representatives of local and international partners. Prominent in the audience were the Vice President of Liberia, Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai; Deputy Minister of Information for Administration, Norris Tweah; Press Union of Liberia President Peter Quaqua; UNESCO Country Representative Stevenson Seidi; Irex-Liberia’s the Chief of Party Tilly Reed and USAID-Liberia’s Mission Director Patricia Rader amongst others Mr. Randall, expressed the belief that the media center must represent a model that other African nations can replicate and spoke of the importance of an Election Reporting Center, which he noted, will provide journalists the opportunity use ICTs and social media applications like facebook, twitter, you-tube and flicker to cover the 2011 elections. “With this facility Mr. Vice President, we bring another first, using technology to monitor television and radio news coverage when countries like Nigeria and Ghana are still using manual methods,” he noted. He also added that the center will have a minivan dedicated to transporting journalists to key election events across the country. It will provide an incentive for journalists to conduct independent, non-partisan coverage of election rallies and programs, indicating that bthese3 could not have been possible without the support of the government. “With a strong and excellent partnership between the Ministry of Information and Finance, your administration has waived duties and import charges in amounts over 70,000.00 USD to ensure this happens,” Mr. Randall reiterated. Mr. Randall indicated further that the achievement mentioned “is a testament to the gift and graft this beloved country has endowed upon us. We must take this interesting prospect further,” maintaining that, “We must move to build a Media Park.” The LMC boss also disclosed a multi-purpose complex project underway that will showcase Liberian media legacies such as the work of Albert Porte, Stanton Peabody, Kenneth Y Best, etc. “We intend to include a media museum, digital audio and print library and a conference center for convening of different kinds of activities,” enjoining all well-meaning Liberians to support the LMC’s efforts in making this dream a reality by 2016. For his part, Vice President Boakai lauded the LMC for its contributions to the process of democracy in Liberia. The Vice President noted that it was the responsibility of every Liberian to ensure the sustenance of peace and democracy in the country, especially in ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections. “Today, the media is going to have a facility that will enhance their works. We are grateful to IREX and all those who have made it possible,” Vice President Boakai said, adding, “We want to ensure that Liberia is a responsible country who will not disappoint you.” The Vice President also notes the need to support efforts at making Liberia a lead country in upholding press freedom. UNESCO’s Seidi express excitement for the Election Reporting Center, while the IREX-Liberia’s the Chief of Party Tilly Reed explained among other things that the strengthen media initiative is intended to provide a peaceful atmosphere in the country by engage the media and the people. In a related development, USAID-Liberia’s Mission Director Patricia Rader praised Liberians for the successful complementation of the Referendum election which she observed was well organized and peaceful. Madam Rader said USAID was proud to support democracy in Liberia, enumerating that her organization was funding civil society and media initiatives in several areas of cooperation. She said USAID has collaborated with others and IREX to monitor the media for equal access and transparency, calling on all to advocate for non violence and peace. Also addressing the occasion, the Chief of Party of IREX-Liberia, Madam Tilly Reed, spoke of the importance of conflict sensitive reporting and added that journalists should be mindful to create an environment where the children of Liberia have the opportunity to education, health and basic freedoms. She then pledged IREX’s support of the programs of LMC in working with the media to professionalize media activities in the election era and beyond. Similarly, the Media specialist of IREX-Liberia, Mr. Bill Burke earlier reemphasized the importance of the media's the role in ensuring free and transparent elections in the country. Meanwhile the Press Union of Liberia’s President Peter Quaqua promising tougher measures against reckless reportage of electoral issues by journalist during the 2011 process. Quaqua cautions media practitioners against heeding manipulation by politicians and expressing the need for journalists to hold together in avoiding conflict ridden elections. “We must not be the guilty party,” the PUL boss said. # # #