Press Freedom Goes Beyond Media Multiplicity
Freedom of the press is foundational to civic education by fostering an informed citizenry, promoting accountability, and enabling the critical thinking necessary for democracy. It provides citizens with unbiased, diverse information, enabling them to evaluate government actions and make informed decisions, preventing propaganda and ensuring transparency.
Besides the above universal interpretation about freedom of the Press, in Liberia, press freedom must be seen far beyond just mere publication of news article. The media as the watchdog of society has been playing her role in the democratization process of post war Liberia.
Government as a dependable partner of the media should see the need to provide subsidies like in the case of other private institutions, such as clinics, universities, hospitals etc.
Giving media subsidies does not compromise the independence of the media. These subsidies could be deposited in the account of the Press Union of Liberia, and the requisite allotment could be made through the Union to reach targeted media institutions that are in compliance with the Ministry of Information regulations.
The media as a watchdog educates citizens on holding power accountable by exposing corruption, ensuring transparency, and monitoring government actions.
The media has a major role to play in Informed Decision-Making. The media enables voters to understand key issues, policies, and candidates, which is vital for effective, self-governing democracies. That is one of our roles in the democratic process.
Another way by which government can promote the media is by awarding advertisement to compliance media institutions.
It will be unfair for media institutions that are committed to paying taxes to be deny government advertisements.
We all are aware that advertisement is the life blood of every media institution the world over. If the government really interested seeing the growth of the Liberia media, government should prioritize advertisements for media owners to underwrite some basic administrative obligations.
