BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County — Community journalists in Grand Bassa County have been challenged to embrace fearless, ethical and development-oriented reporting as a cornerstone for improving governance and accelerating national progress.
By Jaheim Tumu
Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Grand Bassa Media Conference organized by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Grand Bassa Chapter, the Managing Director of Africa Development Management Associates, B. Elias Shoniyin, said a vibrant and independent community press remains indispensable to fighting corruption, promoting transparency and ensuring leaders remain accountable to the people.
The conference, held under the theme, “Strengthening Community Media for Development, Accountability, and National Progress,” brought together journalists, government officials, civil society representatives, development partners and media stakeholders in Buchanan.
Shoniyin praised the PUL Grand Bassa Chapter for convening what he described as a historic gathering, saying the conference marked an important milestone in strengthening journalism outside Liberia’s capital.
Opening his address with a fictional story about a village chief confronted by a young journalist over missing public funds, Shoniyin said courageous reporting prevents wrongdoing before it becomes entrenched.
“That young journalist did not stop a crime that day — she prevented a generation of crimes from happening in silence,” he said. “That is why journalism matters.”
He argued that poverty and underdevelopment in Liberia’s rural communities are closely linked to years of poor governance and public silence.
“The poverty of Grand Bassa’s hinterland communities is not accidental,” he said. “It is the product of decades of neglect, governance failures and, critically, silence. As journalists of Grand Bassa County, you are here today to end that silence.”
Shoniyin described the media as “democracy’s immune system,” warning that corruption, injustice and incompetence thrive whenever the press fails to perform its watchdog role.
“A county without a functioning press is a county without a mirror,” he told participants. “Without you, Grand Bassa will never see itself clearly enough to know there is an urgent need for change.”
While acknowledging Liberia’s improved standing on the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, where the country ranks 58th globally after previously ranking 75th in 2022, Shoniyin cautioned that improved rankings alone do not guarantee quality journalism.
“A good ranking is only the stage,” he said. “What you perform on that stage is your responsibility.”
The development expert also warned against unethical practices within the profession, criticizing journalists who use reporting as a tool for extortion or political manipulation.
“I have seen journalists who have turned the pen into a weapon for extortion,” he said. “That is not journalism. That is dressed-up fraud.”
According to him, journalism derives its legitimacy from public trust, emphasizing that accepting payments to suppress stories or promote propaganda ultimately betrays the people journalists are meant to serve.
He urged media practitioners to uphold the principles of honesty, accountability and transparency by correcting errors, disclosing conflicts of interest and resisting political or financial influence.
Recognizing the difficult conditions under which many Liberian journalists work—including poor pay, inadequate infrastructure and security risks—Shoniyin encouraged reporters to remain committed to serving the public despite the challenges.
“You chose this profession because somewhere within you, you decided you would not remain silent,” he said.
He further stressed that modern journalism demands continuous learning, encouraging reporters to improve their understanding of subjects ranging from public health and agriculture to mining, governance and contract law.
“You cannot amplify what you do not understand,” he said, urging journalists to pursue training opportunities and strengthen professional networks across Liberia and Africa.
Turning his attention to government officials attending the conference, Shoniyin urged public leaders to see the media as partners in governance rather than adversaries.
“The press is not your enemy,” he said. “A functional press is the best gift any government can receive because it provides free intelligence about what is working and what is not.”
He also challenged the leadership of the PUL Grand Bassa Chapter to institutionalize professionalism by establishing a permanent office, enforcing a code of ethics and expanding journalism to underserved communities throughout the county.
Addressing young journalists, he reminded them that the stories they report today will shape public policy and influence development decisions for years to come.
Closing his speech, Shoniyin likened the press to the St. John River, urging journalists to remain steadfast in pursuing truth despite political pressure or personal interests.
“You are Grand Bassa’s St. John River,” he declared. “You are the flow of truth in a landscape that desperately needs it. Do not stop. Flow for the farmer, the market woman, the child, and every citizen whose voice deserves to be heard.”
He congratulated the Press Union of Liberia’s Grand Bassa Chapter for organizing the county’s first media conference, expressing hope that it would serve as the foundation for a stronger, more independent and more accountable community media sector capable of advancing democracy and development across Liberia.
