By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
ZWEDRU, GRAND GEDEH COUNTY – Smile FM, a prominent community radio station in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, has officially resumed broadcasting after a two-week shutdown triggered by internal leadership disputes.
The station’s revival follows two days of intensive mediation led by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the Association of Liberia Community Radio Stations (ALICOR), held from May 18–19, 2025.
The conflict, which escalated into violent confrontations among supporters of two rival Boards of Advisors and competing Station Managers, culminated in the station’s closure on May 5 this year.
Both factions reportedly operated under separate constitutions and by-laws, deepening the organizational crisis.
In a major breakthrough, the mediation teams from PUL and ALICOR successfully brokered a peaceful resolution. Key outcomes included the dissolution of all contesting boards and the establishment of a single, unified Board of Advisors.
This new board according to a statement from the PUL was transparently reconstituted by the nine recognized institutions that traditionally make up Smile FM’s governance structure.
Additionally, Mr. Anthony Flahn has been appointed as Acting Station Manager for a transitional period of three months. “Following this period, a permanent Station Manager will be selected through a competitive and credible recruitment process overseen by the reconstituted board,” the statement noted.
To ensure long-term stability and clarity, the newly formed Board of Advisors has also been tasked with reconciling the previously conflicting constitutions and by-laws of the station. The objective is to adopt a single, unified governing document that reflects best practices in community radio governance.
The high-level mediation team included Mr. Julius Kanubah, President of the Press Union of Liberia; Mr. Teah Doegmah, Chairman of the Board of Advisors of ALICOR; Mr. Lawrence Tokpah, ALICOR’s Vice President for Operations; and Ms. Christina Sonpon, Station Manager of Radio Kakata in Margibi County. The delegation worked in close collaboration with Representative Jeremiah Sokan of District #1, where Smile FM is located.
The PUL and ALICOR extended their appreciation to Representative Sokan, Grand Gedeh Superintendent Alex Grant, and the many current and former county officials and citizens who advocated for the institutions’ involvement due to their reputation for impartiality and credibility.
PUL President Julius Kanubah and ALICOR Board Chair Teah Doegmah emphasized the importance of keeping Smile FM free from political interference. “Smile FM is a community asset, and its operations must reflect the interests and voices of the people—not politics,” they asserted.
Special commendation was also given to journalist Solo Uriah Lewis and Madam Jesadeh Barzon for their dedicated years of service as Station Manager and Board Chair, respectively. Both individuals were praised for their cooperation and constructive engagement throughout the mediation process.
With peace restored and governance restructured, Smile FM has returned to the airwaves—ready once again to inform, educate, and entertain the community it serves.
