MONROVIA – Staffers of the Liberia News Agency (LINA), the official mouthpiece of the Liberian government, staged a protest on Thursday at the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) compound, demanding immediate action from Minister Jerolinmek Piah regarding alleged unpaid wages, lack of essential working materials, and poor working conditions.
Reporters from LINA, who comprised the majority of the protesting staff, claim they have not been paid properly and lack basic tools such as computers, recorders, and cameras necessary to perform their duties effectively.
They stated that since Minister Piah’s appointment, the working relationship has deteriorated, with the Minister allegedly refusing to provide internet access to departments under MICAT.
The protesting workers further accused Minister Piah of undermining LINA’s visibility and operational independence.
They highlighted that LINA, established by law, should have control over its own budget. “Our budget, over USD 350,000, has been controlled by Minister Piah,” one protester stated, calling for the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a full audit of MICAT.
Staffers expressed frustration over working in “empty work stations” and being forced to use personal phones for official assignments, which they deem contrary to good governance practices.
They also lamented the absence of a functional website and Facebook page for LINA to publish their stories.
One protester emphasized their commitment to promoting government activities but accused Minister Piah of not acting in the best interest of the Liberian people, urging the President to intervene.
Despite potential repercussions, the reporters affirmed their resolve, stating, “Some of us are not deterred about what action that will be taken against us. We reporters go on the field and use our personal gadgets to work.”
