-Publishers Association Alerts Gov’t on Incomplete Media Debt Payments
MONROVIA, Liberia — The Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL) has expressed cautious appreciation for the government’s ongoing efforts to clear legacy debts owed to media houses, while firmly pushing back against official claims that all outstanding obligations have been fully settled.
In a statement released over the weekend, PAL welcomed the government’s initiative as a “positive step” toward addressing long-standing financial liabilities that have strained the country’s media sector. The association described the move as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the press’s indispensable role in nurturing Liberia’s democratic gains and fostering national development.
However, PAL took issue with recent assertions from the Ministry of Finance suggesting that all media debts have been completely liquidated. The association insists that a number of its member institutions are still waiting for their payments, casting doubt on the government’s narrative of full settlement.
“While we commend this effort by the government, we must clarify that contrary to assertions by the Ministry of Finance that all debts owed the media have been settled, some media houses are yet to receive payment,” said Mr. Alphonso Toweh, President of PAL. “We therefore encourage the government to speed up the process to ensure that all of our members are fully paid.”
The association’s concern underscores a broader anxiety within Liberia’s media community, where many outlets have struggled to remain operational amid years of unpaid invoices for official advertising and public information services. PAL stressed that a financially viable press is not a luxury but a necessity for transparency, accountability, and informed citizenry in the West African nation.
Describing the media as a “critical partner in national development,” PAL reiterated its commitment to sustained engagement with government authorities, particularly the Ministry of Finance, until every outstanding penny is accounted for.
“The media remains a key pillar of Liberia’s democratic governance,” the association stated, adding that it would continue to advocate on behalf of its members “until the matter is fully resolved.”
