–Liberian Journalist Praises Beijing Media Training
By Shallon S. Gonlor
Shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
BEIJING, China — WomenVoices Newspaper Desk Editor Jerromie Walters says the Seminar on Media Communication Capacity Building for Liberian Journalists has already begun delivering valuable professional insights just two days into the two-week training program in Beijing, China.
Walters is among 25 Liberian media practitioners participating in the seminar, which officially opened on Wednesday, October 14, and is scheduled to conclude on October 27, 2026. The Government of China sponsors the program, and it is being organized by the Research and Training Institute of China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA).
It is intended to strengthen journalists’ professional capacities in digital communication, broadcasting, media innovation, and international cooperation.
Speaking about his experience, Walters described the opening sessions as an important opportunity to learn from Chinese academics and media professionals while gaining a deeper understanding of China’s media industry, governance structures, and communication strategies.
“We are just two days into Beijing’s ‘Seminar on Media Communication Capacity Building for Liberia,’ and it’s already paying off as expected,” Walters said. “As a Liberian journalist who’s eager to improve every day, learning from experts such as Zhang Yanqiu, a professor at the Communication University of China; Ran Jijun, a professor and head of the English Department at China Foreign Affairs University; Zhang Weiwei, an associate professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; and others has been invaluable,” he added.
The seminar’s opening ceremony was led by Gao Xi, Chief Editor of the NRTA’s Research and Training Institute. Bai Sama G. Best, Managing Director of the Liberian Observer Corporation and head of the Liberian delegation, delivered remarks on behalf of the participating journalists. Best expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for supporting the initiative, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation as the media industry undergoes rapid transformation driven by digital technology, changing audience habits, and new storytelling methods.
He said the delegation was looking forward to learning from China’s experiences in media convergence and digital innovation while strengthening the longstanding friendship between Liberia and China. The first official lecture was delivered by Chang Jin, a Second-Level Counselor in the NRTA’s Department of International Cooperation. His presentation provided an overview of China’s radio and television industry, including international media cooperation and exchanges.
Chang also introduced participants to contemporary Chinese society and discussed the outcomes of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, alongside the structure of China’s media landscape and the regulatory responsibilities of the NRTA.
On Thursday, October 15, participants attended additional lectures covering China’s approach to modernization and media communication, global communication trends in the digital age, news reporting practices, and strategies for combating disinformation online.
Ran Jijun addressed the relationship between China’s modernization and media communication, while Zhang Weiwei discussed Chinese news reporting practices and media innovation. Zhang Yanqiu led sessions on constructive journalism and news literacy in the digital era. According to Walters, the sessions are equipping participants with practical knowledge of emerging media trends and the challenges journalists face in an increasingly digital information environment.
The curriculum also examines China’s political and administrative institutions, including the Communist Party’s central leadership structures and administrative arrangements at provincial, municipal, county, township, and village levels. Walters noted that China’s governance system differs from Liberia’s political and administrative framework, making the discussions an opportunity for participants to broaden their understanding of governance, institutional organization, and public communication.
The program’s wider curriculum includes presentations by Li Yu, a division chief and senior journalist at China Media Group’s International Communication Planning Bureau, and Sun Jiwen, a former Chinese ambassador to Gabon. Beyond classroom instruction, the seminar includes cultural excursions and educational visits intended to expose participants to China’s history, infrastructure, development strategies, and media environment.
The team of Liberian journalists visited the National Stadium, popularly known as the Bird’s Nest on Friday. Other scheduled destinations in Beijing include; China Central Television Tower; the Great Wall at Juyongguan; Yongding Gate; and Hongqiao Market. From October 18 to October 22, the delegation is also scheduled to travel to Anji County in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, for a series of educational and development-focused visits.
The itinerary includes Yucun Village, associated with the concept of “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” as well as the Anji Exhibition Center for Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastics. Participants are also expected to visit the Anji County Smart Governance Center and the Anji White Tea Cultural and Creative Complex.
The visits are designed to provide firsthand exposure to China’s rural revitalization initiatives, environmental sustainability efforts, green development models, and the use of technology in governance. Walters said the combination of classroom sessions and practical visits would give participating journalists a broader understanding of how media, public communication, technology, and development intersect.
Strengthening Liberia-China Media Cooperation
The seminar forms part of broader efforts to strengthen media cooperation between Liberia and China. Approximately 100 Liberian media practitioners have participated in various media-related seminars and capacity-building programs in China since 2023. The NRTA’s Research and Training Institute, which hosts the current program, conducts professional development and international training initiatives for media practitioners and officials from developing countries.
Since 2005, the institute has reportedly conducted 253 international training programs sponsored by Chinese government institutions, including the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NRTA, and the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. By the end of 2024, approximately 6,740 government officials, media managers, senior editors, journalists, and technical professionals from 163 developing countries and regions had participated in its training programs, according to the institution’s reported figures.
Liberia and China established diplomatic relations in 1977, and both countries continue to pursue cooperation across various sectors.
On September 29, 2026, Chinese Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Fan Erwei reportedly disclosed that bilateral trade between Liberia and China had increased by 16 percent year-on-year during the first seven months of 2026.
As part of the current seminar, participating journalists are also expected to engage in case studies examining innovative media cooperation between the two countries and explore opportunities to strengthen their respective media communication capacities.
The program will conclude on October 27 with a closing ceremony featuring remarks from participant representatives and officials, the awarding of certificates, and the presentation of souvenirs. The delegation of 25 Liberian journalists departed Monrovia on October 12 aboard Ethiopian Airlines and arrived in Beijing the following day.
About Jerromie Walters
WomenVoices Newspaper, widely regarded as Liberia’s most equitable news outlet appointed Mr. Jerromie S. Walters as Desk Editor, effective March 11, 2026. Walters, an award-winning investigative journalist, ascends to the post after nearly three years as Sub-Editor at the publication. He joined WomenVoices in 2022 and has steadily taken on increased responsibility, advancing from Reporter to Sub-Editor before his last promotion.
In 2024, Walters was selected for the Internews/USAID Liberia Media Empowerment Project Fellowship and the Internews Environmental and Climate Reporting Fellowship. That same year, Youth Media Action-Liberia named him first runner-up for the Best Young Journalist Award. Beyond reporting, Walters serves as a trainer at the Peter Quaqua School of Journalism, where he teaches news writing and journalism ethics.
His investigative reporting has drawn attention to significant environmental and social issues in Liberia. In 2024, he investigated the effects of climate change on the country’s fishing industry, reporting on rising sea temperatures, declining fish stocks, and the financial difficulties confronting local fishermen. His findings highlighted challenges surrounding government licensing fees and revenue collection by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA).
Following the report, NaFAA convened discussions with fishermen and, in 2025, established an Environment and Climate Change Department to integrate climate resilience into its policies. In early 2025, Walters also investigated the resurgence of female genital mutilation (FGM) despite a government ban announced in 2022. His reporting examined concerns about weakened enforcement, the removal of key anti-FGM stakeholders, and the abandonment of alternative livelihood centers for former practitioners.
Walters has received training from several international and local organizations, including UN Women, Africa Check, Dubawa, Internews, CENTAL, and Local Voices. WomenVoices Newspaper, established on March 10, 2011, is a Liberia-based media outlet dedicated to amplifying the stories and concerns of women and children. According to a 2024 Internews-GeoPoll survey, the publication has a readership of more than 64,000.
