NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah has sharply criticized what he described as irresponsible and unsubstantiated media reports linking Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community to drug trafficking, warning that such allegations undermine professional journalism and risk damaging the country’s international reputation.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Speaking Tuesday during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, Piah acknowledged the important role played by the Liberian media but maintained that some journalists have abandoned ethical standards by publishing allegations without evidence.
“The media people are my friends. Many time we accept that many of you are courageous and professional journalists. Every segment of society, we have to admit there will always be some bad apples around,” Piah said.
The minister argued that while most journalists conduct themselves professionally, there has been reluctance within the media community to hold colleagues accountable for unethical reporting.
“What we see unfolding generally is that even when you find bad apples, there is resistance and that everybody else in the media supposed to be okay,” he stated.
Piah referenced remarks made during the inauguration of the Reporters Association of Liberia, saying the association’s own leadership had acknowledged ethical shortcomings within the profession.
“I was at your Reporters Association inauguration ceremony and your president made a very strong statement—something that when a government official said there will be outrage. He admitted that there are ethical issues in the media. He even in your midst there are yellow journalism,” the minister said.
According to Piah, the government has become increasingly concerned about reports from what he described as a media network that has allegedly linked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of Liberia’s diplomatic corps to drug trafficking activities.
“So the government attention has been drawn that there are allegations from the media network linking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the diplomatic community who are stationed in Liberia to drug trafficking. This is very troubling,” he said.
The Information Minister also criticized the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), accusing it of failing to respond to what he characterized as reckless allegations.
“Anybody (journalists) can just wake up in the morning and call anybody name and link them to the drug situation and the Press Union of Liberia sits there and does nothing, like a toothless bulldog sitting there and just watching.”
He said the allegations extend beyond Liberian government institutions to include foreign diplomatic missions representing countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and China.
“Accusing not just your Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but the diplomatic community including great nations like America, Great Britain, China that are all part of the diplomatic community. You sit on one network and accuse them of involvement in drug trafficking.”
Seeking to clarify public concerns surrounding diplomatic shipments, Piah explained that diplomatic pouches are protected channels used by embassies and international organizations for official communications.
“For the education of the public if what the (journalists) were referring to is the question of diplomatic pouch or pouches, they contain letters from embassies, diplomatic missions and international organizations,” he said.
The minister concluded by urging the media outlet involved to refrain from publishing allegations that cannot be substantiated, emphasizing that factual accuracy remains a cornerstone of responsible journalism.
“So in this light, the Government of Liberia encourages the media network involved to discontinue its trend of irresponsible reporting, reckless statement. It is against the tenets and ethics of good journalism to broadcast things that have no facts.”
Piah’s comments come amid heightened public attention over ongoing investigations into major drug trafficking cases in Liberia, as the government continues its broader crackdown on narcotics networks operating within the country.
