By Amos Harris
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA), delivered on January 26, 2026, has ignited a firestorm of criticism across the media landscape. The backlash follows the total omission of the “Fourth Estate” from the President’s constitutional address, a move observers characterize as a worrying signal for the future of Liberian democracy.
Journalists, publishers, and civil society advocates argue that failing to acknowledge the media’s role or challenges raises fundamental questions about the Unity Party-led government’s commitment to press freedom. In a nation where the press has historically served as a cornerstone of transparency and development, stakeholders view this exclusion as more than a simple oversight. Several stakeholders noted in a joint sentiment that the media remains one of the strongest pillars of Liberia’s democracy, and excluding it entirely reflects a lack of policy focus on strengthening the information sector and protecting journalistic independence.
The omission is particularly pointed given the current climate. Liberian journalists continue to navigate harsh economic conditions, persistent threats, and restricted access to information. Advocates argue these realities deserved formal recognition in a speech intended to outline the nation’s trajectory. One media executive questioned whether the silence suggests a deliberate effort to sideline the press, echoing the concerns of many who fear a growing marginalization of the Fourth Estate.
Public frustration intensified following a press briefing on Tuesday, January 27, by Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah. Rather than addressing grievances regarding the SONA or the media’s status, Minister Piah chose to focus his remarks on defending President Boakai’s claim that the administration has created over 70,000 jobs nationwide. This pivot failed to quell the unrest, as media practitioners had expected the Ministry of Information to provide clarity on the government’s stance toward the press.
The government’s employment figures have come under immediate fire from critics who point out that neither the Ministry of Labor nor the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) has released verifiable data to support the 70,000-job milestone. Public skepticism is largely centered on the classification of these roles. Many argue that informal activities, such as riding commercial motorcycles or operating “keke” tricycles, should not be framed as government-created jobs. Furthermore, critics maintain that temporary public works or short-term placements on public buses do not constitute the sustainable, long-term employment required to improve national living standards.
John Gray, a student at the University of Liberia, urged the administration to prioritize transparency over rhetoric. He noted that government officials must be honest with the President because Liberians deserve figures that reflect the actual realities on the ground rather than inflated statistics.
As the debate over the 2026 SONA continues, media advocates are calling on the Boakai administration to pivot toward a more inclusive approach. They are urging the government to articulate clear policies that protect press freedom and acknowledge the media’s essential contribution to national development. The consensus among the Fourth Estate remains clear: Liberia’s democratic progress cannot be sustained if the very institution responsible for accountability is ignored in the nation’s highest discourse.