The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has paid tribute to two prominent broadcasters, Daniel Zayzay and James Paykoo, honoring their collective half-century of contributions to the nation’s radio and media landscape.
The press union announced a series of memorial and funeral arrangements for both journalists following high-level solidarity visits to their families by a media delegation led by PUL President Julius Kanubah.
Daniel Zayzay, the station manager of Peace FM in Harbel, Margibi County, passed away on May 25, 2025, at the age of 42 following a brief illness. Zayzay worked in the broadcast sector for nearly two decades, drawing recognition for his commitment to community radio development.
James Paykoo, a retired broadcaster, died on June 7, 2026, at the age of 69 after a prolonged illness. Paykoo’s career spanned more than 30 years, during which he became widely known as a seasoned newscaster with a distinctive, commanding voice at the state’s broadcaster, ELBC.
“The Press Union of Liberia is calling on journalists, media professionals, communication practitioners, and members of the public to join the bereaved families in honoring the memory of the fallen journalists and giving them a dignified farewell,” the union said in an official statement.
Commemoration and Funeral Schedule
A formal PUL delegation, which included journalists Solo Urias Lewis, Jutonu Kollie, Howison Woah, Ebenezer Foley, and Emmanuel Lloyd, visited the surviving families in the cities of Paynesville and Harbe, respectively, to extend condolences on behalf of the media community.
The official schedules honoring both broadcasters are as follows:
For Zayzay, a formal book of condolence opened today, June 19, at Peace FM in Harbel, Margibi County, to be followed by an evening wake-keeping. The funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, in Harbel.
While the funeral service for the retired broadcaster Paykoo, will take place on Thursday, June 25, in Paynesville, Montserrado County.
Spokespersons for both families expressed gratitude to the PUL leadership for acknowledging the professional legacies of the broadcasters and providing institutional support during their period of mourning.