Electing Professionals, Not Political Staunches To Head ALJA
By: Nathan P. Charles|
Saturday October 5, 2019, is set aside to elect new officials of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas and the event is scheduled in the Twin Cities , Minnesota , USA.
The momentum heats up, as several Liberian –USA based journalists have expressed interest in heading the association following the currently leadership tenures.
As we converge in Minnesota, let us put the independent of the association above friendship or personal connections and elect people with no political afflictions. Also, we must scrutinize the candidates and elect individuals who are credible, have vision and vigor to head our precious media body.
It is no secret that some of those approved to contest various positions at this year’s convention are publically afflicting with political parties, be it ruling or opposition blocks.
Giving them leadership at our powerful association will compromised the integrity of our body .
We must all remember, a journalist duty is to remain independent and give voice to the voiceless amongst others .
The Editor, you will agree with me that electing people with political afflictions will do our association no good but to make us praise singers to their wishes. If ALJA elect officials that’s not independent, the danger is one- dimensionality and we will have a media body that speaks only to a specific constituency on whom the media is dependent.
If we are going to have a media body like ALJA that speaks in the same voice … the voice of those who own and control it (politicians or political parties ), that undermines media diversity and plurality and once that is undermined, it also undermines democracy itself in Liberia.
An independent media body like ALJA is vivacious for innumerable reasons but not least the fact that it can represent a whole range of opinions and viewpoints in a given society and our strong ALJA must stand up to that .
Before I lift my hands off my keypad, I want to salute and applaud the outgoing leadership of ALJA headed by Mr. Moses Sandy ,for their commitment and dedication to the Association over the years.
ALJA is a conglomeration of current and retired Liberian journalists residing in the Americas. It is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. The Association was founded in 1998 in Washington, D.C. with the objectives of fostering companionship amongst its members and their American counterparts.
Also, ALJA is committed to advancing press freedom through media capacity building and the fostering of good governance in Liberia through media advocacy.
Let me leave you with a wise saying “A hint to the wise, is quite sufficient” we must put our ALJA above friendship or personal gains .
Sincerely yours,
Nathan P. Charles
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