MONROVIA, Liberia: Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has pledged that his administration will not muzzle or control the media, calling for stronger relations between government and journalists based on openness, mutual respect and professionalism.
Boakai made the commitment on Saturday, September 12, 2026, during the second annual Presidential Media Dinner held at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
The gathering brought together media owners, journalists, government officials and representatives of the Press Union of Liberia, providing an opportunity for media practitioners to engage the President on issues affecting journalism and relations between the government and the media.
Boakai said his administration remained committed to the principles of the Table Mountain Declaration, which promotes press freedom and the protection of journalists and independent media.
“Our commitment to the principles of the Table Mountain Declaration remains firm,” Boakai said. “We believe that freedom of expression, access to information, and an independent, free, and professional media are fundamental to the democratic Liberia we are building.”
The President said his government understood its responsibility to remain open, accessible and responsive to journalists as they carry out their role of informing the public and holding public officials accountable.
He described journalism as a form of public service that requires courage, sacrifice and accountability, while telling journalists that his administration should not be viewed as an institution to be feared.
“In the same vein, I assure you that this Government will never take the media to be an institution to be muzzled or controlled,” Boakai said.
Rather than viewing government and the media as adversaries, Boakai called for both sides to regard each other as partners with separate responsibilities and a common obligation to serve the Liberian people.
“We may not always agree. And in a democracy, we should not always agree,” Boakai said. “That is not abnormal. But even when we disagree, we must never lose sight of the country we all serve.”
Boakai said maintaining a healthy democratic environment required responsibilities from both government and the media.
He said government institutions must remain accessible and responsive, while journalists must uphold professional standards in their reporting.
“The media must continue to show its responsibility by upholding accuracy, fairness, professionalism and the public interest,” he said.
The President also encouraged journalists to maintain scrutiny of his administration, question public officials and hold government institutions accountable.
“The government must remain accessible and responsive, while the media must continue to inform, educate, question and hold us accountable,” he said.
Boakai said such scrutiny should be accompanied by accuracy, fairness and professionalism, describing responsible journalism as an important part of Liberia’s democratic development.
The Presidential Media Dinner also created space for media practitioners to raise concerns directly with the President and discuss challenges affecting journalism and government media relations.
Boakai said the second edition of the annual gathering should serve as an opportunity for both government and the media to renew their commitment to open government, responsible journalism, mutual respect and constructive engagement.
He said stronger relations between the government and the media, while respecting the separate roles of both institutions, would allow them to better serve the Liberian people.
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