Liberia: Journalists Launches Initiative to Promote Peaceful Election
Ahead of the 2023 presidential and representative elections, a group of media practitioners has launched the Journalists Initiative for Peaceful Election (JIPEL).
The launch took place on Friday, December 2, 2022, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Sinkor, Monrovia, and was followed by a rally to support the work of the organization.
The program was graced by media workers, civic society groups, church leaders, educators, and the general public.
Giving an overview of the organization, the Founder and Executive Director, Oscar F. Mulbah, said this dream started in 2019 and was later birthed in 2020.
He stated that the organization's goal is to help train journalists and improve state security as the country prepares for the November elections and beyond, as well as to advocate for journalists' rights and raise awareness, particularly about the elections.
Mulbah said for the past time, journalists and state security have had serious disagreements on their respective roles when covering a program involving the president and other government officials, but the coming of this organization will make the difference in the coming months.
He said the people depend on the media for information, especially during the election period because citizens need to know what the state actors are doing and the various election results. That is why they are going to engage in the training of reporters and talk show hosts in nine of Liberia’s counties.
According to journalist Mulbah, talk show hosts have the power to plunge the country into crisis if they say something that is not correct and causes people to act differently.
Mulbah said that in the coming months, training for talk show hosts will begin in Montserrado, Bong, Margibi, Nimba, Lofa, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu counties.
Serving as keynote speaker at the launching ceremony, Rev. Philip Nushan said the inauguration of a new institution seeks to engage Liberian society and the world to stimulate collaboration by engaging stakeholders such as the media and the security sector to promote peace and sustainable development in Liberia.
He said the vision to establish JIPEL noted this initiative does not only demonstrate their love and concern for the peace and development of Liberia but is also a classic manifestation of the excellent leadership skills and innovation and the love for Country and their admirable leadership ability.
He said Democracy, the free and equal representation of people, is fundamental to the peace, stability and sustainable development of any Nation.
Democracy: “Democracy is like the experience of life itself always changing, infinite in its variety, sometimes turbulent and all the more valuable for having been entered for adversity.”
Also speaking the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) said the program launched will go a long way in Country History, most especially talking about peace.
Maj/Gen. Prince C. Johnson, III said as head of the AFL he will do all it takes in protecting the peace of the Nation stating what the disbanded AFL did back then will not be repeated now.
Maj/Gen. Johnson said the AFL is fully ready to respond to any attack by any group in the Country and the people of Liberia should be assured that they will do all it takes to protect the peace.
He noted Media in Liberia should get away with fake news that can carry a negative picture about the Country and said it is always good to do proper fact-checking whenever they get information on people as that will help the country move ahead.
The AFL boss promised to work with the group to ensure that the message of peace gets across to the rest of the other counties.