MONROVIA: The media subcommittee of the Joint Presidential Transition Team (JPPT) has held a dialogue engagement with several media executives aimed at formulating policy for the unhindered participation of media outlets expecting to provide coverage for the pending January 22, 2024 inaugural ceremony for the incoming Unity Party (UP) led government led by Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The dialogue meeting which was held in the edifice of the Charles Gbenyon Press Conference Hall at the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) brought together Publishers, Managing Editors, and Reporters among other freelance media practitioners.
According to the JPPT Chairman on the Subcommittee for Media and Publicity from UP, Journalist Johnathan Payeleyleh, the meeting was called to allow media owners and the committee to brainstorm on media protocol regarding the inauguration.
According to Payeleyleh, as customary, the Information Ministry through its Press and Public Affairs Department under the supervision of Deputy Minister, Jarlawah Tonpoe will spearhead the print media accreditation with input from the UP’s JPPT subcommittee team to avoid issues of discrimination, and overrepresentation of media outlets.
He said due to the limited capacity for human convergence at Capitol Building where the inaugural ceremony is slated to be held, the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are the two broadcast entities accredited to do a live broadcast of the inaugural occasion.
He entreats other electronic media outlets to relay the ceremony from the two accredited broadcast media outlets. According to him, the measure is geared towards controlling the influx of other broadcast entities owing to the limited capacity for human convergence at the Capitol Building.
For online television coverage, Payeleyleh pointed that only the Liberia National Television (LNTV) has been provided exclusive accreditation right to cover the inauguration while urging other online television platforms to connect with LNTV for relay coverage.
He also revealed that discussions are ongoing with Superintendents across the counties to ensure that administrative buildings and public town halls are used for airing the inaugural program for the benefit of citizens in various counties.
Payeleyleh also informed the gathering of media executives that the incoming UP government has with consultation with the Information Ministry relaxed the imposition of accreditation fees for foreign media outlets and entities that have expressed interest to provide media coverage.
For his part, Deputy Information Minister for Press and Public Affairs, Jarlawah Tonpoe has named January 15, 2024 as the final date for the submission of media accreditation request for inaugural ceremony.
According to Tonpoe, as customary, the Information Ministry and the Executive Protection Service (EPS) will work collaboratively to ensure that requesting media entities are granted their accreditation tag within the timeframe leading to the inaugural program.
Tonpoe revealed that the EPS as usual can reduce the list sent by the Ministry due to security reason best known to the entity, but assured media executives at the meeting that ministry will exercise due-diligence in the editing of the list.
Deputy Minster Tonpoe cautioned media outlets with reporters already accredited at the National Legislature and the Executive Mansion to send the same names of those accredited reporters to minimize the over-crowdedness of the Capitol Building on inauguration day.
Meanwhile, MICAT’s Director of Press and Public Affairs. Lawrence Fahnbulleh has warned that media entities which are not in good standing with Information Ministry will not be accepted for accreditation.
According to Director Fahnbulleh, media outlets that have not satisfied their tax obligations to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) through the Information Ministry, will forfeit their right to provide coverage at the January 22, 2024 inaugural program.
