Members of the Media, Esteemed Guests, Fellow Liberians, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good evening—and welcome.
Tonight, I stand before you not just as President of our beloved country but as a fellow citizen who profoundly values the sacred role you play in our democracy. This inaugural Presidential Media Dinner of my administration is more than a courtesy—it is a gesture of appreciation, of partnership, and of the tremendous responsibilities that we share.
I want to commend you, the Liberian media community, for all that you have done to nurture the growth of our democracy and the advancement of our cause. We also extol your resilience, vigilance, and commitment to truth. Yours is not an easy calling. It demands courage, sacrifice, and, above all, integrity.
Our country has a valued historic role as a champion of liberty and a beacon of freedom on our continent and around the world. However, freedom, especially the freedom of the press, is not a gift that sustains itself. It must be defended, expanded, cherished, and institutionalized.
I am proud to highlight that Liberia is setting an example across Africa in championing press freedom. We are steadfast in our support of the Table Mountain Declaration, which serves not merely as a written commitment, but as a living pledge to defend journalists’ rights and guarantee the free exchange of information in our community.
We have also taken meaningful steps. With backing from our partners and stakeholders, my administration is advancing the work of the Commission on Information, a vital new body dedicated to promoting transparency and public access to information.
This commission will act as a conduit between the government and the citizens, facilitating the free flow of facts and building public trust.
We are continuously enhancing the enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act, ensuring that public entities share knowledge rather than withhold it from the citizens they serve. Access to information is not just a privilege; it is a fundamental right, and this administration is committed to upholding that right.
In the same spirit, I recommit my administration to upholding the Abdullah K. Abdullah Act—a law that stands as a monument to press freedom and the memory of one of Liberia’s most courageous media pioneers. This act not only protects journalists from arbitrary arrest and intimidation but also enshrines media freedom as a cornerstone of our democracy.
This evening, I stand before you to reaffirm a commitment: under my leadership, Liberia will have no political prisoners and no press suppression. Criticism is not a threat to democracy; it is its essence. We will not shy away from your questions; instead, we will listen. We will not stifle dissenting voices; we will engage with them.
The richness of our media landscape reflects this progress. Since I took office, we have seen the registration of more media outlets than ever before, creating additional platforms for storytelling, accountability, and the influence of public opinion. This growth is not coincidental; it stems from a political climate that honors the freedom to speak, publish, and critique.
Let us be clear: Our journey is far from over. There is still work to do—to improve professionalism, to combat misinformation, and to ensure journalists are safe and supported in every county of this country.
But tonight, let us also celebrate how far we’ve come.
Let us continue to build a society where facts and respect for our traditional values matter. Let us together build a society where the media thrives, and where government and press, while distinct, move in the same direction—for the good of the Liberian people.
Thank you for your work, your vigilance, and your voice.
May this dinner not be the end of a conversation but the beginning of a deeper, more constructive one between the presidency and the press.
May God bless you all, and may God bless the Republic of Liberia as we Think the Media, Love the Media and together Build the Media!
Thank you.
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