In a landmark address delivered at the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas - ALJA convention held in Minnesota over the weekend, Representative Naquetta Ricks underscored the indispensable role of the media in Liberia’s forthcoming pivotal elections scheduled for October 10, 2023. As Liberia stands at a significant juncture in its democratic journey, the guest speaker emphasized the media’s duty as not just the fourth estate but as a beacon of hope, a custodian of truth, and a champion of accountability. Drawing upon biblical wisdom, she noted the heightened obligation of journalists to be channels of accurate and precise information, especially given Liberia’s current literacy rate, which, according to data cited from Macrotrends.net and USAID, hovers just over 48%. Representative Ricks strongly advocated for an unwavering commitment to transparency, urging journalists to leverage their curious minds to hold power to account and bring to light any potential irregularities and misconduct that could undermine the electoral process. ‘There is a profound onus on the Liberian media to go beyond merely reporting the news and act as a bridge connecting citizens to their leaders, a watchdog guarding the public interest, and a mirror reflecting the diverse voices and aspirations of our society,’ she stated. Ricks further encouraged media houses to foster informed debates and dialogue, which she described as the lifeblood of progress in a democracy. She highlighted the media's significant role in presenting a platform for candidates to share their visions, for citizens to express their concerns, and for experts to offer analytical insights, all of which would empower Liberians to make informed decisions when casting their votes. As Liberia witnesses a media boom with a remarkable surge in media houses, radio stations, and television outlets over the past two decades, the representative cautioned against the rising tide of misinformation exacerbated by social media and internet penetration. While acknowledging the vast reach of digital platforms, she expressed concerns over untrained social media talk show hosts potentially fostering misinformation and biased reporting. “The proliferation of social media talk show hosts who are untrained in journalism presents an imminent risk to the spread of misinformation and biased reporting. I urge traditional and digital media to collaborate diligently to curb misinformation and foster constructive dialogue,” Ricks asserted. She did not hold back in pinpointing the risks posed by media houses and radio stations owned by politicians, insinuating a substantial threat to objective journalism. In her stirring address, Representative Ricks summoned the media to a higher calling of professionalism, ethics, and objectivity, urging them to eschew sensationalism and bias, which she noted could foster division and mistrust. Highlighting the media's crucial role in promoting peace during the election period, she called for conflict-sensitive journalism and a steadfast commitment to avoid propagating hate speech. As Liberia gears up for what Representative Ricks termed “the most important election of our lifetime,” the message was clear: the media holds the torch in guiding Liberia towards a transparent, peaceful, and democratic election, steering the nation into a future grounded in truth and informed choice. In her concluding remarks at the ALJA convention, Representative Naquetta Ricks brought to the forefront an instance where social media and the general public worked harmoniously to facilitate the arrest of an American missionary attempting to flee after allegedly trying to kill a Liberian woman. The representative emphasized this event to illustrate the immediate impact social media can have when utilized swiftly and effectively in service of justice. Drawing attention to the persistent threat against press freedom in Liberia characterized by assaults on journalists and unwarranted equipment seizures, she stressed the urgent need for media houses to prioritize the safety and well-being of their practitioners. She urged the government to not only protect journalists but also to ensure the swift prosecution of those guilty of orchestrating attacks against them. Ricks candidly addressed a recurrent question concerning independent media in Liberia, acknowledging the challenging environment in which many journalists operate. Many are caught between financial constraints and pressures from sponsors seeking favorable coverage, sometimes at the expense of the truth. “Why not take the money and still report the news? Do you want my life and family to be threatened?” she posed, spotlighting the tough decisions journalists often face. As the nation inches closer to the critical October 10 elections, Representative Ricks called upon citizens to foster a culture of critical thinking, verifying information, and seeking diverse perspectives. She encouraged people to support the media while holding them accountable to maintain high reporting standards. “The role of the Liberian media in ensuring transparent and peaceful elections cannot be overstated,” she emphasized, recognizing media not only as observers but as active participants in the democratic process, which plays a pivotal role in nurturing Liberia’s fragile peace as the country prepares for its fourth transfer of power since 2006. Closing her address with a quote from Thomas Jefferson, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost,” she underscored the intrinsic link between press freedom and democratic liberty. Ricks ended her speech with a rallying call, encouraging a collective embrace of the power of media to usher Liberia into a brighter and more prosperous future. “Thank you, and may these elections be a testament to the strength of our democracy and the power of our media to safeguard it,” she said, leaving the attendees with a hopeful vision of Liberia’s democratic journey fortified by a resilient and fearless media landscape. Representative Naquetta Ricks is the first African immigrant to be elected to the Colorado General Assembly and the first Liberian American to be elected to any state legislature. When she was only 13, she was forced to flee the civil war in Liberia, and her family settled in Aurora, Colorado. Representative Ricks received her undergraduate degree in accounting at MSU and her MBA from the University of Colorado Denver. In the summer of 2023, Rep Ricks was selected to further her leadership education by attending the Harvard Kennedy School's Senior Executives in State & Local Government program. She then operated a successful small mortgage brokerage business and is the founder and President of the African Chamber of Commerce in Colorado USA. As a leading Black woman in business and politics, she works tirelessly to improve her community by helping build economic opportunities and by championing the rights of immigrants and refugees. In her first session in the General Assembly, she led the fight for groundbreaking legislation, including the creation of the Immigration Legal Defense Fund, the Diverse K-12 Educator Workforce Report, the Towing Bill of Rights, and the Behavioral Healthcare Continuum Gap Grant Program.  For her efforts, Representative Ricks has been recognized with many awards, including Habitat for Humanity’s 2021 Legislator of the Year, the 2021 and 2022 Colorado Bankers Association Spurs Award, the 2021 LGBQT Chamber Legislator of the Year, the 2022 Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network Liberty Award, and is a member of Healthier Colorado’s Leadership Circle.

Minneapolis – The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) has strongly condemned recent developments surrounding the ongoing crisis within Liberia’s House of Representatives, in which the Justice Minister and Attorney-General allegedly skewed the interpretation of the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of the so-called majority members of the House. ALJA says the Attorney-General’s actions, carried out under the instruction of the Executive branch, undermine the rule of law and the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in Liberia’s Constitution. In a statement signed by its President, Joey Kennedy, ALJA noted that while the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Articles 33 and 49 of the Liberian Constitution refrained from explicitly addressing the legality of actions taken by the anti-Koffa faction within the House of Representatives, the Attorney-General’s skewed interpretation risks exacerbating the already volatile crisis. At the same time, ALJA expressed deep concern over the Executive Mansion’s decision to withdraw security personnel and other government resources assigned to House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa amid the ongoing crisis. ALJA views the withdrawal of Speaker Koffa’s security detail as blatant intimidation that undermines both the principle of separation of powers and the integrity of Liberia’s governance. Such actions, ALJA stressed, compromise Speaker Koffa’s safety and set a dangerous precedent for using state power to influence legislative processes. ALJA calls on President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to demonstrate leadership by respecting the fundamental doctrine of separation of powers and refraining from interference in the affairs of the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, ALJA has condemned threats made by Nimba County Representative Samuel Kogar against journalist Julius Jeh of OK FM. During a live broadcast, Representative Kogar accused Jeh of inciting public discontent over the ongoing leadership crisis and issued veiled threats of potential consequences against the journalist. ALJA believes such intimidation constitutes a direct attack on press freedom and undermines the media’s critical role as a cornerstone of democracy. The U.S.-based advocacy group insists that journalists must be free to report on critical national issues without fear of retribution or harm. ALJA reiterates that press freedom is non-negotiable and essential for holding leaders accountable, fostering transparency, and ensuring that the Liberian people remain informed about their government’s actions. The Association remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for a free press, good governance, and respect for Liberia’s constitutional order. ALJA will continue to monitor the situation and speak out against actions that threaten Liberia’s democratic progress. ALJA is a U.S.-based Liberian media advocacy organization committed to promoting press freedom and fostering good governance through media advocacy. Founded in 1998, ALJA supports accountability and integrity in Liberia’s political affairs.

MONROVIA – Overwhelmed by the show of true support and commitment to the development and welfare of the Liberian media sector through a massive donation of computers (Laptops) and other electronic gadgets to several media institutions in the country by the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), the Publisher/Managing Editor of The Analyst Newspaper, Mr. Stanley Seakor, has commended the organization for being thoughtful in identifying with the media works of their colleagues back home, describing the donation as a radical departure from the other channels where media development groups in Liberia careless about the opportunities to develop the media despite huge donor funding they received. The statement of appreciation from publisher Seakor formed part of his acknowledgement of the gesture extended his institution. The Analyst is one of the media institutions that benefited from the kind gesture from ALJA aimed at enhancing the productivity and capacity of media organizations in the country. Publisher Seakor further acknowledged that the assistance could not have come at a more propitious time when the sector is struggling while media development organizations in the country who should be assisting are undermining the very establishment they pretend to support. “We see this as a welcome development; as it bridges the gap in support for robust media activities in the country. I think it is fair enough to say this support is a radical departure from what has happened in our own setting where some local media development institutions go out there to lobby for media support, return to exploit the situation and to some extent blackmail some of the media entities as being on the payroll of the government and cannot benefit from their programs. “Even the little support that would get to the media comes with humiliation and downgrading of the media. They come up with some non-result yielding initiatives such spurious undertakings in the name of workshop, training and capacity building for the sole purpose of justifying the rip-off from donors’ funds, thereby using the media to enrich themselves… at the right time we will call names with evidence. “We are not looking at how little the donation is but the fact is even in the little way within their reach, ALJA has come forth with this support just like in the past and we are optimistic that bigger things will definitely be on the way and the Liberian media sector will surely get there”, Seakor said. He urged his colleagues to make judicious use of what was presented and strive to be professional in their line of duty. The Liberian media practitioner and executive as well called for exploring new areas of synergy between ALJA and the Liberian media fraternity with the view of enriching the profession thereby increasing its quota to national development. The commendation from Publisher Seakor came on the heels of the donation made from ALJA at a brief but eventful ceremony held at the office of the Center for Media and Peace Studies yesterday, Thursday, February 9, 2023 when 20 media institutions from both the print and electronic media received laptops and other electronic gadgets. The Executive Director for CEMPS, Malcolm Joseph who coordinated the distribution of the items from ALJA said he was happy to see the fulfillment of the project and hoped the donation will be a continuous one. Mr. Joseph also called on the local media family to appreciate ALJA and encourage the existence of cooperation between the media and ALJA. Speaking thereafter, Charles Crawford, the External Relations Chairman said the donation represents ALJA’s own way of identifying with its roots given the fact that members of the organization have had relationships with the media community at home and have been endeavoring to maintain the relationship active. He said the donation was ALJA’s own way of contributing to the capacity building process of the media as they strive to provide unmatched services to the Liberian people in this critical time. The occasion was also used to present checks to two students at the Department of Communications and Media Studies at the University of Liberia who are beneficiaries of a scholarship scheme named in honor of a fallen colleague, Joseph Teh, who died some time ago in Boston, the United States of America. The two junior students, Chuckey Ramadel Thomas and Miss Deddeh Sammy, thanked ALJA for the offer and promised to reciprocate the gesture by being studious and ambitious towards becoming media practitioners upon graduation. Responding on behalf of the media institutions, Mr. Cholo Brooks, publisher of Global News Network (GNN) media outlet thanked ALJA for the donation, describing the presentation as a step forward in boosting the morale and engagements of media practitioners. Mr. Books promised that the materials donated will be properly utilized. Several media institutions that benefited from the donation included radio stations in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Sinoe, Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Nimba, Grand Kru, Bong and Maryland Counties. Other media institutions in Monrovia including, The Analyst Newspaper, the Independent Probe, the Inquirer Newspaper, Global News Network (GNN), Lux FM radio at the University of Liberia and Prime TV, among others, also benefited from the ALJA gesture.

Minneapolis, USA, December 26, 2024 – The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) has congratulated the Government of Liberia, under the leadership of President Joseph Boakai, on Liberia’s qualification for a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact Grant which positions the country to receive up to $500 million in development funding from the United States Government. ALJA acknowledges that the MCC Grant, which could have transformative impacts on the country’s future, marks a significant turning point in the nation’s governance and reform journey. Achieving this milestone required Liberia to meet stringent benchmarks across several sectors, including the rule of law, fiscal management, trade policy, and anti-corruption efforts. These reforms reflect the government’s commitment to fostering good governance, promoting transparency, and creating the foundation for sustainable development. In a press release, ALJA says the MCC Compact Grant represents a unique opportunity for Liberia to address critical development challenges. If finalized, the grant is expected to focus on key sectors such as infrastructure development, energy access, and economic diversification. These areas are essential for enhancing the country’s global competitiveness, creating jobs, and reducing poverty. ALJA views this achievement not only as a reflection of the government’s determination but also as an opportunity for the Liberian people to experience tangible improvements in their daily lives and livelihoods. ALJA further states that President Boakai’s leadership, encapsulated in the Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development, has been pivotal in meeting the MCC Scorecard’s rigorous standards. The ARREST Agenda emphasizes inclusive governance, national unity, and systematic reform, ensuring that all Liberians benefit from development initiatives. This focus on inclusivity, combined with targeted efforts to improve governance, has played a crucial role in rebuilding international trust and attracting vital development support. ALJA commends the administration for its resilience and dedication to achieving these benchmarks despite the challenges posed by systemic issues and external pressures. While this achievement is worthy of celebration, ALJA underscores the importance of sustained efforts to ensure that Liberia maximizes the benefits of the MCC Compact Grant. Specifically, ALJA urges the Government of Liberia to Deepen Anti-Corruption Measures by ensuring that resources from the grant are transparently allocated and managed, with robust oversight mechanisms in place as well as Strengthen Institutional Frameworks by building the capacity of public institutions to effectively implement and monitor MCC-funded projects. The Liberian Diaspora based advocacy organizations also wants government to engage civil society and citizens to promote broad-based participation in planning and executing development initiatives and ensuring that all Liberians feel the impact of these investments while at the same time maintaining progress on MCC Indicators by focusing on long-term reforms to ensure continued eligibility for MCC funding in the future. At the same time, ALJA calls on Liberians at home and abroad to unite in support of this achievement and work collectively toward consolidating the gains made. “Diaspora Liberians, in particular, have a vital role to play in advocating for sustained reforms, investing in local initiatives, and holding leaders accountable,” a release signed by ALJA President Joey Kennedy concluded.  As a media advocacy organization, ALJA remains steadfast in its mission to promote good governance, press freedom, and the rule of law in Liberia. ALJA says it will continue to support development efforts in Liberia and hold stakeholders accountable for ensuring that the MCC Compact Grant translates into real, transformative progress for all Liberians.

December 27, 2024