As Liberia Confronts Rising Inequality
Gbarnga, Bong County – As authorities and development partners work to improve media accountability in the face of enduring gender inequality and growing concerns about how gender-based violence stories are handled, fifty journalists throughout Liberia have received extensive training in ethical and gender-responsive reporting.
Reporters from community radio stations, print media, and digital platforms from six counties: Montserrado, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, River Cess, and Grand Gedeh gathered for the two-day workshop, which was organised by the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) in Gbarnga.
The US$44.6 million project, which is being carried out by the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection with funding assistance from the World Bank, aims to improve economic opportunities for women and girls and change detrimental social norms for over 267,000 beneficiaries, including 36,000 women-owned businesses.
Lisa T. Diasay of the Project Management Unit began the training by highlighting how the media shapes public perception of gender issues and makes sure that people are informed of opportunities under the project. She emphasised that effective media coverage is crucial to reaching impacted communities and stated that the effort prioritises counties with high vulnerability and recorded occurrences of gender-based violence.
The training’s main focus was on gender-sensitive reporting, with instructor Carolyn D. Myers advising reporters covering gender-based violence to switch from sensationalism to survivor-centered storytelling. “Responsible reporting protects survivors and helps shift the narrative from blame to accountability,” Myers said, warning that careless reporting can expose victims to stigma and retaliation.
Participants were advised not to use victim-blaming rhetoric, publish identifying information, or put headlines ahead of human dignity. Media expert Varmah V. Kamara reminded participants that credibility is still the cornerstone of the profession during the workshop, which also focused on ethical journalism and fact-checking.
“Accuracy must always come before speed,” Kamara said. “Journalists must resist the pressure to publish unverified information, especially in today’s fast-moving digital space.”
Despite the training’s goals, journalists pointed out structural issues, such as weak editing guidelines, restricted opportunities for professional growth, and obstacles confirming information in remote locations with inadequate internet connectivity. Investigative reporting on important gender and development issues is nevertheless hampered by persistent underfunding in media organizations, according to some participants.
In response, participants demanded that training be extended beyond the media and that similar capacity-building be provided to law enforcement, medical professionals, and civil society actors in order to enhance responses to gender-based violence.
In order to improve journalism standards across the country, they also underlined the importance of ongoing cooperation between the government, development partners, and media organization. By portraying the media as a vital force in fostering accountability, elevating marginalized perspectives, and propelling social change, the program represents a substantial intervention in changing how gender issues are reported in Liberia.
It is anticipated that a responsible and professional press will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring that Liberia’s efforts to eradicate gender-based violence and promote women’s empowerment have a significant influence on communities throughout the nation.
Reported by: Prince Saah
