MONROVIA – The President Emeritus of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Charles B. Coffey Jr., has commended the Minister of Information, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah and the entire leadership and staff of the Ministry for their continued efforts to educate the Liberian people and provide timely information on the functions, policies, programs and activities of the Government of Liberia(GoL).
Mr. Coffey extended the commendation as Liberia celebrated its 179th Independence Day Anniversary, describing the Ministry of Information as a vital institution in Liberia’s democratic governance and public communication system.
He recalled that the institution now known as the Ministry of Information traces its legal foundation to an Act of the National Legislature enacted in 1965, which created the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs (DICA).
The institution was subsequently reorganized and renamed the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism under the New Executive Law of May 1972.
The 1972 Executive Law provides for the Ministry’s information functions, including the work of the Bureau of Press and Publications, which is responsible for the preparation and dissemination of press bulletins, press releases, pamphlets, handbooks and other materials intended to provide information to the public.
The Ministry’s official Service Delivery Charter further states that its principal responsibilities include developing and disseminating information about the Government of Liberia at home and abroad, in addition to responsibilities relating to cultural affairs and tourism.
In recognizing this statutory and institutional mandate, Mr. Coffey praised Minister Piah for his leadership and the Ministry’s continued engagement with the public through press briefings, government communications, public education, media engagements and other platforms used to disseminate information about national issues and government activities.
“As Liberia celebrated its 179th Independence Day Anniversary, Mr. Coffey commended Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, Minister of Information and the entire team at the Ministry for their continued efforts to educate and inform the Liberian people about the functions and activities of their government. The Ministry occupies a critical position in our democracy because an informed citizenry is essential to meaningful public participation, transparency, accountability, and good governance,” Mr. Coffey stated.
The PUL President Emeritus further noted that the Ministry of Information serves as an important link between the Government and the people by making government policies, programs, decisions, and development initiatives accessible to the public.
He said the Ministry’s role is particularly important in a country like Liberia, where radio, community outreach, television, print media and increasingly digital and social media platforms remain essential tools for reaching citizens across the country.
Mr. Coffey also commended Minister Piah for his engagement with the Liberian media and encouraged the Ministry to continue strengthening its partnership with independent media institutions and journalists in promoting the free flow of credible information.
“The Ministry of Information has the responsibility to communicate the position and activities of the Government, while the independent media has the equally important responsibility to scrutinize public institutions, ask difficult questions, provide diverse perspectives, and hold public officials accountable. These roles are complementary and are fundamental to the health of our democracy,” Mr. Coffey asserted.
He called on the Ministry to continue expanding public education and information dissemination, particularly to citizens in rural Liberia, while ensuring that government information is accurate, timely, accessible and presented in a manner that ordinary citizens can easily understand.
The PUL President Emeritus further urged the GoL to continue supporting an environment in which journalists can freely perform their constitutional responsibilities without intimidation, harassment, or unnecessary restrictions.
He stressed that the work of the Ministry of Information and the independent media must be guided by the shared national objectives of promoting peace, national unity, democratic governance, accountability, development and the public interest.
Mr. Coffey said the 179th Independence Day Anniversary provides an important opportunity for Liberians to reflect on the country’s historic journey and the collective responsibility of citizens and institutions to protect and strengthen the gains made in democracy and good governance.
He extended warm Independence Day greetings to the President of the Republic of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., the Vice President, Jeremiah Kpan Koung, members of the National Legislature, the Judiciary, members of the Cabinet, members of the diplomatic community, the leadership and membership of the Press Union of Liberia, media institutions and practitioners, civil society organizations and all Liberians at home and abroad.
“On this historic 179th Independence Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to a Liberia where information flows freely, where citizens are informed and empowered, where the media operates independently and responsibly and where government institutions remain accountable to the people. A well-informed citizen is an empowered citizen, and an empowered citizen is essential to the building of a strong and democratic Liberia,” Mr. Coffey added.
The PUL President Emeritus once again congratulated the Government and People of Liberia on the occasion of the country’s 179th Independence Day Anniversary and called on all Liberians to celebrate the occasion in peace, unity, and with renewed commitment to the ideals upon which the Republic was founded.
