The Editor,
Congratulations on your selection as one of this year’s William Southam Journalism Fellows at Massey College/University of Toronto in collaboration with the Journalists for Human Rights.
Your selection as the first Liberian journalist has proven that you are one of the best in the media Liberia can brag of.
Even though I was selected amongst the finalist in obtaining the fellowship but I have no regrets that you captured such prestigious opportunity because over the years a Liberian has not benefited.
The Journalists for Human Rights, JHR is very unique and always striving to empower journalists throughout the world and I believed with such opportunity afforded you, the media landscape in Liberia will again feel your impact, including the Liberian people who you always try to give voice to through your professional works.
Words are beyond imagination to describe how you are risking your life to providing factual information to the Liberian people and the world at large.
Your stories are changing the ugly attitudes of duty bearers towards our suffering people ranging from rape, corruption, security ruthlessness, education and health menace amongst others.
With months of training, I have no doubt that you will share knowledge gain to journalists in Liberia, something you have always done over the years.
I know that JHR promotes share ideas and is always encouraging media practitioners to go after the untold stories and report it.
Please convey my thanks to the JHR family for looking back at the Liberian media again after years since they closed their journalist training and support programs in Liberia.
Ah!!!! also inform JHR that they are needed back in Liberia as we approach another crucial elections process.
With lots of damaging human rights reports on Liberia from international accredited institutions, much is needed from the media.
It is so saddening that most of us trained by Canadian Journalists for Human Rights, JHR over the years have since left the country, working with various organizations and some not in active journalism because of different reasons.
As you know, the media has a crucial role in the country’s fragile democracy and if our people voices must be amplify; only media practitioners who have the professional Know-how are capable of doing such.
Training and empowerment are needed for my fellow media colleagues by the JHR because most media practitioners are not financially potent, least to talk about institutions they are working for.
Some journalists are lacking basic human rights training, equipment such as cameras, recorders and transportation, something that makes their work difficult and is putting a setback to several media investigations and exposing all forms of human rights violations across Liberia.
With curiosity for years now, I am yet to find out or see trainers in Liberia from the Canadian Base Journalist for Human Rights group to resume partnership and operations with the Liberian media since they departed the country in 2012.
The Liberian media is in need of the Canadian Journalist for Human Rights group to help mentor and support our emerging journalists in Liberia.
Again, Congratulations!
Nathan Charles
[email protected]