“There Will Be No Political Prisoners and Suppression of the Press Under My Leadership” Pres. Boakai Declares at Dinner

April 10, 2025

By Feeme M. Wantee

Monrovia: President Joseph Boakai has declared at the much talked about Annual Presidential Media Dinner that there will be no political prisoners and suppression of the press under his leadership reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to press freedom and Transparency

According to the Pres. Boakai, his government has made significant strides in promoting transparency and public access to information. Efforts according to him include the newly established Commission on Information, designed to serve as a bridge between the government and the public. “This commission will act as a conduit between the government and the citizens, facilitating the free flow of facts and building public trust,” he said.

Addressing journalists, media executives, the President underscored the critical role the media plays in Liberia’s democracy and national development. “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” he said  

Expressing deep appreciation to the Liberian media, the Liberian President emphasized that the dinner was more than a formality, noting that it was a recognition of partnership and shared responsibility between the government and the press. Commending journalists for their courage, resilience, and integrity, the President acknowledged the essential role they have played in nurturing Liberia’s democratic journey. “Yours is not an easy calling, it demands courage, sacrifice, and, above all, integrity”.

Held at the EJS Ministerial Complex April 10, 2025, President Boakai highlighted Liberia’s ongoing commitment to press freedom, noting that the country’s leadership is supporting the Table Mountain Declaration a continental pledge to defend the rights of journalists and guarantee the free flow of information. “We are steadfast in our support; the declaration is not merely a symbolic one but a “living pledge” of Liberia’s democratic values” he added

In addition to the work of the commission, the President reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to enforcing the Freedom of Information Act, ensuring that public institutions share vital knowledge with citizens.

He also recommended the Abdullah K. Abdullah Act, a landmark law protecting journalists from arbitrary arrest and intimidation. “This act enshrines media freedom as a cornerstone of our democracy.

Criticism is not a threat to democracy; it is its essence.” President Boakai noted a sharp increase in media registration since his inauguration, calling it evidence of a healthy political climate that honors freedom of speech and encourages diverse perspectives. Despite these achievements, he acknowledged that challenges remain.

From ensuring journalists’ safety across all counties to combating misinformation and enhancing professional standards, the President emphasized that the journey is ongoing. “Let us continue to build a society where facts and respect for our traditional values matter,” he said. “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.”

 In closing, President Boakai called on the media to view the dinner not as the conclusion of dialogue but the beginning of a deeper, more constructive relationship between the presidency and the press. “May this dinner not be the end of a conversation but the beginning of a deeper one,” he said, before ending with a powerful appeal to national unity: “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!”

The event was graced by top government officials, lawmakers, CSOs among others. Annual Presidential Media Dinner is the first media engagement leadership of President Joseph Boakai.