The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a five-year media activity project in Liberia.
The new media development project was launched in collaboration with media partners, on March 17, 2022 in Monrovia, by US Embassy in Liberia Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Joe Maybury.
Seeking to enhance the effectiveness of the Liberian media in serving as a conduit for citizen voices and government response, the project will be implemented by Internews.
The project also aims to strengthen media sustainability and enrich the human and institutional capacity of the media, while advocating for and maintaining current media freedoms to reliably carryout responsible journalism, drive reforms, and increase revenue through four intertwined objectives.
Mr. Maybury reaffirmed the U.S. government’s continued support to the media in Liberia, saying America is and will remain a critical partner in Liberia’s developmental drive.
He believes that as Liberia takes steps to improve its democracy, the U.S. government through USAID will remain a committed partner to this media activity.
“We will continue to support and look forward to having a well-collaborating relationship with all of you on this new project, the government, civil society, and other development agencies,” he said.
Internews Chief of Party, Ms. Lien Bach revealed that project will provide technical support to media houses to expand local community network and develop a business plan that will move them into a place where they can be happy.
Ms. Bach stressed on the need for the establishment of legal media houses that will ensure safety of journalists and allow them to have access to the Freedom of Information Act.
“It is necessary to address gender inequality in the Liberian media as women continue to face numerous social barriers to fully participate in media activities, and only account for a quarter of the media in the society”, the Internews Chief of Party observes,” she added.
Between September 2015 and March 2021, Internews in its previous media development project in in Liberia that aimed to increase citizens’ access to independent and reliable information and empower them to engage in well-informed public discussions on issues of national importance focused on supporting media owners and managers, media development agencies, commercial media outlets, community radio stations, and government information offices to provide more balanced and accurate information to the public.
Press Union of Liberia president, Mr. Charles Coffey thanked USAID on the launch of the five years project, noting that the project is a manifestation of the agency’s support to media development.
“This project will bring countless dividends to our country, because it is designed to boost the human and institutional capacity of the media sector while advocating for the maintenance of the current media freedom,” Mr. Coffey said.