A pro-media development group, Youth Media Action (YMA) has launched Liberia’s first national high school press clubs’ network to coordinate press club activities across the country.
The launch which took place at the United Methodist compound in Ganta, Nimba County brought together several high school press clubs from across the country, local authorities, stakeholders, community radio stations, civil society actors, and students amongst others.
The Executive Director of Youth Media Action, Varmah Kamarasaid the initiative is aimed at institutionalizing press club activities nationwide. Mr. Kamara emphasized that to strengthen the Liberian media’s foundation, press clubs must be organized and given the needed support for a vibrant sector.
He asserted that the umbrella organization will ensure that individual members and institutions are strengthened to promote youth journalism and robust media development across Liberia. “Our desire and aspiration are that the newly established networks will work with all press clubs to have a solid youth journalism program across Liberia,” He emphasized.
The YMA Executive Director who is also a Liberian journalist noted that youth journalism is the future of professional journalism as such YMA stands ready to ensure that the sector has all it takes to produce the crane-de-la-cranes of journalists.
Serving as the Chief Launcher of the network, Democracy, and Governance Specialist at USAID Democracy, Rights and Governance Office in Monrovia, Madam Louise Fahnbullehthanked Youth Media Action for the initiative adding that it will help to boost youth journalism, especially at the local level.
Madam Jacobs encouraged young reporters in high schools to take advantage of the program if they are to hone their skills and become professionals in the future.
She pointed out that press clubs provide enormous opportunities and if advantage is taken will empower them to choose a career path and become productive citizens.
The Democracy and Governance Specialist also reiterated USAID’s commitment to supporting media development for a vibrant democracy.
Also speaking, YMA focal at Internews Liberia Technical Media Advisor, madam Zeowheh Saywrayne-Sumo thanked Youth Media Action for such a brilliant initiative that will unite press members for the betterment of the Liberian media.
Madam Saywrayne-Sumo believes the new venture will not only empower press clubs but will also serve as a space where aspiring journalists can share innovative ideas for building a strong journalism career. She challenged the students to take charge of the network to ensure that it becomes second to none in propagating press club issues in respective schools and communities.
“Youth Media Action is in action to address the issue of attrition and we are happy to be part of this great history-making in Ganta City, Nimba County and I challenged all of you in this hall to take charge of this network for a better youth journalism sector,” she concluded.
For his part, the city major of Ganta City, Nimba County, Samuel Hardt welcomed the initiative adding that it will help to properly organize press club programs in the country. “When we were in high school, we had love for journalism and were actively part of the press club but sadly we didn’t get the opportunity that you have today,” he asserted.
Mayor Hardt added that for the network to be active and robust, the students must take the initiative seriously at their schools and in the various counties. “We can not thank Youth Media Action enough for being innovative and farsighted in establishing this network but is it now with you the students to make this work not just in Nimba but across the 15 political sub-divisions,” he noted.
