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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: In a passionate and forward-looking address at the induction of the new leadership of the Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL), newly elected President Alphonso Toweh called for unity among media professionals and bold reforms to address the challenges facing Liberia’s media landscape.
Quoting the Bible, Toweh began his speech with a note of gratitude: “In all things,” we are instructed by the Holy Book, “to give thanks to God.”
He acknowledged God’s blessings in shaping his life and expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to lead the PAL.
“Indeed, God has been good to me and to all of us, for which we are indebted to Him. As journalists, where would we have been had God not been on our side?” he said. “We are grateful for His protection against the enemies of journalism – the enemies of storytelling and truth-telling.”
Toweh paid tribute to the outgoing leadership and past architects of the institution, including Mr. Roger Seton, Mr. Sando Moore, Mr. Stanley Seakor (sometimes referred to as “Omar Bongo”), and the “Big Six” led by Philibert Brown. Their contributions, he said, laid the foundation for the growth and resilience of the association.
The new PAL president emphasized that the induction of a new leadership marked the beginning of a new era—one of hope, strategic engagement, and transformation.
“Sometimes, a new chapter brings failure; sometimes, success. For us at PAL, we are determined to chart a course marked by a renewed sense of purpose and unity,” Toweh stated. “The role of the media is cardinal to national development. No task is insurmountable when approached with collective determination.”
He revealed that PAL has developed a three-year strategic plan and called on all stakeholders to monitor its implementation.
“Our collective actions will speak for us,” he added, urging members to “pull out the best in ourselves to overturn failures into successes, change the narrative, and shift the paradigm.”
Toweh acknowledged the deteriorating state of the media industry, particularly traditional platforms like newspapers and radio, describing them as “teetering” and “caught between survival and doom.”
“We must muster the courage to explore alternative means, including collaborations or mergers, to sustain the industry,” he said.
He posed tough questions about the proliferation of media houses and the absence of quality standards in the sector, emphasizing the need for introspection and open dialogue between media managers and their employees.
“Being a manager or director does not make us experts in thoughts and ideas. We must listen, engage, and evolve,or perish,” he warned.
In a striking rebuke, Toweh criticized the use of the official website of the Liberian Presidency for private advertising, calling it “absurd” and an abuse of a national institution.
“Someone at the Executive Mansion is doing serious business at the expense of President Joseph Boakai,” he said. “Do not reduce the presidency’s website to the Goba Chovë Market, where all sorts of commodities are traded.”
He announced that PAL will form a committee to meet with officials at the Executive Mansion to address the issue.
Toweh highlighted the role of governments as the largest advertisers in many countries and called on the Liberian government to fulfil its financial obligations to the media.
“Paying our debts would offer consequential relief to struggling media houses and their employees,” he said.
He also mentioned the appointment of Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan, expressing hope that his leadership would translate into more meaningful support for the media.
Toweh extended thanks to international partners such as USAID and Plan International for their support and appealed for further assistance in media training, development, and sustainability.
“The media needs support more than ever before,” he said. “An evolving global media landscape demands a responsive and robust local media sector.”
In a lighter moment, he asked that a message be relayed to former U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him a “no-nonsense, fire-for-fire” leader, and thanking USAID for its contributions to the Liberian media sector.
In his closing remarks, Toweh made an emotional appeal for reconciliation within the association.
“A house divided against itself cannot stand,” he said. “I sincerely apologize on behalf of the new leadership to all who may have left PAL for personal or general reasons. Let this be a time of peace and fellowship.”
Quoting Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”, Toweh concluded by urging members to embrace unity, truth, and purpose.
“May God continue to keep and strengthen PAL, shower His blessings upon us, and most importantly, guide us as journalists to write the truth, say the truth, and stand by the truth.”
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