Monrovia – The outgoing President of the Legislative Press Pool (LEGISPOOL), has extolled members of the association for entrusting him with what he described as one of the most important responsibilities of his career.

By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway

Speaking at the group’s elective congress held at the Banquet Hall of the Capitol Building, Mr. Gerald Koinyeneh, who is also the Head FrontPage Africa Newsroom, reflected on his tenure, noting that leading a body of “independent and diverse minds” was both an honor and a challenge.

The elective congress was held under the theme: “Building One Voice: Innovation and Integrity in Leadership.”

Mr. Koinyeneh praised members for their resilience and independence in covering the Legislature, despite internal political divisions among lawmakers.

The FPA newsroom chief urged his colleagues to continue engaging with “oneness,” stressing that unity and professionalism must define the organization’s future.

“There should be no hatred among us,” Koinyeneh added as he called on legislative reporters to prioritize collaboration over conflict as they carry out their watchdog role in strengthening Liberia’s democracy.

Serving as keynote speaker at the occasion, the Executive Director of the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), Malcolm W. Joseph, called on legislative reporters in Liberia to strengthen their collective voice, embrace innovation, and uphold integrity in their work as watchdogs of democracy.

Reflecting on his own career that began at the Legislature in the late 1990s, Mr. Joseph reminded journalists of their pivotal role in bridging the gap between lawmakers and citizens.

“Without you, the reporters, the activities of the people’s house would be shrouded in shadows. You make democracy visible,” he emphasized.

He urged reporters to remain united, warning that internal division weakens their credibility and undermines their advocacy for press freedom.

Joseph also challenged reporters to embrace digital innovation to remain relevant in the fast-changing media landscape. He noted that today’s citizens demand real-time analysis and multimedia content, but stressed that such tools must be used responsibly.

“Technology can empower truth or amplify misinformation. Let innovation be the servant of truth, not the enemy of credibility,” he cautioned.

Mr. Joseph pointed out that credibility remains the “currency” of journalism and warned against brown-envelope practices, political bias, and half-truths.

The former top official of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) also urged reporters to elect leaders who embody honesty, fairness, and accountability, stressing that leadership should be seen as service, not privilege.

Beyond basic coverage of legislative sessions, Mr. Joseph called on reporters to add value by analyzing the implications of bills, budgets, and debates for ordinary Liberians.

He also reaffirmed CEMESP’s commitment to media development, ethical journalism, and press freedom, urging reporters to continue to defend democratic values while building networks and learning from best practices across the region.

Capitol Hill, Monrovia –The Leadership of the Legislative Press Pool (LEGISPOOL) in partnership with Save My Future Foundation (SAMFU) has trained some legislative reporters representing different media institutions.

The CSO’s work focuses on areas, natural resource management, Conflict Resolution, Endangered Marine Species and Conservation.

SAMFU’s vision is to have a Liberia where natural resources are efficiently governed and sustainably managed to ensure equity in benefits-sharing, while its involvements are unique and community driven.

Its mission is to support and promote environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable natural resource management through inclusive community participation.

The one-day workshop was held Tuesday, May 28, in the City of Paynesville, and featured five LEGISPOOL members with additional five non-LEGISPOOL members as participants.

The legislative reporters include LEGISPOOL Secretary General, Blamo N. Toe of Radio Bushrod, Grace Bryant of Inquirer Newspaper, Emmanuel Toe, Kool FM, Jeromie Walters, Women Voices and Anthony Q. Jiffan representing The Analyst Newspaper.

Speaking at the media training, the Executive Director of Save My Future Foundation, Mr. Wynston Benda-Henries admonished the legislative reporters and other participants to prioritize developmental reporting, adding that every news article does not necessarily have no be about politics always.

He further promised to enhance and sustain the partnership established with the Leadership of the Legislative Press Pool to build the capacity of its members, noting that the CSO has taken notes of all suggestions provided by the participants at the end of the workshop.

Also giving an overview of the workshop, SAMFU’s Assistant Director of Communications, Benetta Teta Bowah said the initiative aimed at making the institution visible to the public, highlighting the success stories and impacts it continues to make in the society.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of LEGISPOOL, Blamo N. Toe on behalf of the participants, thanked the Save My Future Foundation for organizing what he termed as an insightful training for legislative reporters.

While pledging the group of journalists support to working with SAMFU, Toe also urged the organization to not only build a partnership with LEGISPOOL but it should also consider strategies aimed at sustaining such collaboration.

The Secretary General further expressed the appreciation of LEGISPOOL’s President, Gerald C. Koinyeneh to the civil society organization, adding that the President looks forward to more collaborative work with both SAMFU and other institutions across the country.