Liberia

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Roberts International Airport, Paynesville, Liberia

Roberts International Airport in Paynesville, Liberia

Roberts International Airport, Paynesville

Roberts International Airport in Paynesville, Liberia.

Liberia: Create Commercially Viable Radio Stations Using New Marketing Strategies

In Partnership With: 
UNESCO

Luisa Handem Piette is a Knight International Journalism Fellow who is coaching management at four independent newspapers and three radio stations in Liberia to become profitable. She started the Media and Business Sustainability Exchange (MBS), a monthly meeting that brings together Liberian media managers and other members of the business community, including the Liberia Chamber of Commerce. The goal: to help the news media attract clients and educate businesses on the value of buying ads in a country where most advertising still comes from the government and NGOs.

See video

Radio is the most popular source of news in post-conflict Liberia, but stations are struggling. Knight Fellow Luisa Handem Piette is developing business models that will lead to profitability.

Liberia: Bolstering Coverage of the Courts in Post-Conflict Era

In Partnership With: 
AllAfrica

Marquita Smith is a Knight International Journalism Fellow who helped launch the Judicial Reporters Network in Liberia. Smith formed this association and trained its members to cover the country’s fledgling legal system. Inspired by Smith, Ora Garway, a journalist in the association, launched a newspaper called The Punch that focuses on legal reporting. Garway was the country’s first woman managing editor. Smith returned to Liberia in June 2010 to help Garway develop a business plan for the new newspaper and create a website featuring coverage of the justice system.

Mar 142009

Local Radio Station Combats Crime

by Marquita Smith

At 2:45 a.m., I got a call from my friend, the news editor at the government's ELBC radio station. She whispered armed robbers are at my house. They were driving a pickup truck into the wall of her gated compound, trying to break it down. They cursed and yelled asking her to open the gate. They used iron rods to try to pry it loose, and then one used a metal pole to attempt to vault over the wall.

She explained that she couldn't get anyone to respond on the emergency services number, which also happens to be 911.

Feb 272009

Radio Broadcast Rouses Liberians

by Marquita Smith

At about 2:30 a.m., a bunch of very angry roosters began co-co-loe-loing outside my window. Loudly. I jumped out of bed thinking it was my 6 a.m. wake up call.So not the case.

Thousands of Liberians across the country were awake fetching water. They managed to?even stir the chickens.

Why? Because they had heard news that there would be no water for three days. Angels were coming to dry out the wells.

Jan 232009

MLK Day in Liberia

by Marquita Smith

Yesterday I celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in West Africa. I traveled to New Kru Town, a small Liberian community. During the ride over I listened to excerpts of Dr. King’s speech on a local radio station. Even here, King’s powerful 1963 address inspires and uplifts people in this war-torn nation. Yesterday I celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in West Africa.  I traveled to New Kru Town, a small Liberian community. During the ride over I listened to excerpts of Dr. King’s speech on a local radio station.

Jan 232009

Holidays In Liberia: 9 journalists receive certificates

by Marquita Smith

Just in time for the holiday season, I gave 9 Liberian journalists a dose of cheer and goodwill. The group of court reporters received certificates of honor on Saturday from ICFJ and Knight International for completing 12 weeks of intensive training on covering the justice system.

Just in time for the holiday season, I gave 9 Liberian journalists a dose of cheer and goodwill.