Gongloe, Tarpeh Differ on Gov’t.–Media
Friction
By: Lewis K. Glay
Forum
Monrovia, Liberia
Distributed by
The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
Cllr. Gongloe and Professor Tarpeh were guests at the 1st Anniversary of the Liberia Media Center (LMC) celebrated at the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Headquarters in Monrovia.
The both men gave their opinions on the recent utterances made by President
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf against some unnamed media institutions for practicing
what she termed as unprofessional journalism to defame the character of
certain people in society.
Cllr. Gongloe told the audience at the ceremony that individuals have the
right to express disagreement with the press in the face of the public when
they feel that the press is not doing the right thing. He said the press
has not done justice to the national cause especially in the case of businessman
George Haddah whom he observed has been given front page coverage by the
media regarding the saga between him and government over taxation as well
as the importation of rice into the country.
But, the Solicitor General realized that perhaps the way news makers including
the legislators were discussing the Haddah’s issue is what giving
it massive publicity.
What Cllr. Gongloe also termed as “demeaning” was in his view,
for the Legislature to have allowed businessman Haddah and Commerce Minister
Olubanke King-Akerele to appear before the House for inquiry, adding, “I
was ashamed and I think they did a disservice to those who elected them.”
On the issue of Executive Mansion’s threat to select certain media
for briefing if some institutions continue to “misquote” information
emanating from there as recently claimed by the Press Secretary, the Solicitor-General
holds the opinion that for him, he usually buys four newspapers (unnamed)
and sometimes one other paper. However, the interpretation of Cllr.Gongloe’s
assertion remains anybody’s guess as far as the Executive Mansion-media
relation is concerned.
However, he assured the press that nothing would be done by this government
to intimidate or shut down any institution in the country so long the right
things are done in line with the rule of law.
For his part, Professor Tarpeh only concurred with Cllr. Gongloe on the
issue of government officials being cited to appear along with an entrepreneur
before state authorities, something both individuals said cannot be allowed
anywhere the world over.
But, commenting on President Sirleaf’s utterances at the UMU graduation
convocation which she claimed that some media practitioners where involved
in blackmailing and “checkbook” journalism, the former Finance
Minister said the statements were unfair to the media especially when the
President did not name those she alleged to be involved in the act.
Professor Tarpeh argued that in every profession there are those who go
against ethics but said that does not warrant blanket accusation. He said
the press is not a public relations arm of government, noting, “If
the government wants public relations she must pay for it.”
The former Finance Minister said the government and the media must cooperate
to work as partners in progress. He observed that both past and present
governments never made cogent efforts aimed at supporting the media.
Professor Tarpeh who spoke on the topic: “The Role of the Media in
Democratic Reforms,” said the media has the responsibility to carry
the reforms to the people, as such; it is part of the process and needs
the support and promotion to make those changes embedded in the reforms
attainable.