MONROVIA, Liberia — The Executive Director of the Lady Justice Center of Liberia, Hawa Metzger, is raising concerns about what she describes as growing political influence over Liberia’s media landscape, particularly radio, and is calling for stronger safeguards to protect independent journalism and diverse public discourse.
Metzger says an estimated 95 percent of Liberia’s media outlets are not independent, a claim she believes should prompt serious national discussion about the state of press freedom and media ownership in the country.
She is also questioning what the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) is doing to address what she considers a growing threat to media independence.
Concerns Over Access to Radio
Metzger said the Lady Justice Center has encountered difficulties getting some of its stories, advocacy programs and public-interest discussions aired or published, particularly when they involve sensitive issues such as justice, corruption, accountability and human rights.
According to her, some of those difficulties are connected to the political interests or affiliations of media owners.
She alleged that certain radio stations have declined to carry programs or discussions involving the Lady Justice Center because of the political interests of their owners.
For Metzger, the concern goes beyond her organization’s ability to secure airtime.
She believes restrictions on access to media platforms can prevent ordinary Liberians from hearing perspectives on issues that directly affect their lives and communities.
When Politics Meets Media Ownership
Metzger’s central concern is that media ownership and political influence can sometimes overlap in ways that compromise the ability of journalists and civil society organizations to freely raise uncomfortable questions.
She argued that the problem becomes particularly serious when the individuals or political interests connected to media organizations are themselves the subject of criticism or accountability efforts.
In such circumstances, she said, media outlets may face pressure—directly or indirectly—to limit voices that challenge powerful interests.
Metzger is therefore calling on political leaders, radio owners, media managers and media institutions to take the issue seriously and ensure that professional responsibilities are not subordinated to political loyalties.
Why Radio Matters
For Metzger, the issue is particularly important because radio remains one of Liberia’s most accessible sources of information.
While newspapers, television and online platforms continue to play important roles, many Liberians—especially those in rural communities—still depend heavily on radio for news, public discussions and information about government and community affairs.
When particular voices are excluded from radio programming, she argues, large sections of the population may never hear information or perspectives that could help them understand issues affecting their communities.
That makes media independence, in her view, not simply a professional concern for journalists but a public-interest and democratic issue.
A Call for Editorial Independence
Metzger is urging radio owners and managers to separate their personal and political interests from their professional responsibilities.
She believes media organizations should provide reasonable space for diverse perspectives, particularly on matters involving justice, corruption, human rights and public accountability.
Her call also extends to media professionals and the institutions responsible for protecting journalism standards.
She is challenging the media community to ensure that political affiliation or ownership interests do not determine which voices Liberians are allowed to hear.
Media Independence and Democracy
At the heart of Metzger’s argument is a broader question about the relationship between media freedom and democracy.
An independent media, she maintains, provides citizens with the opportunity to hear competing views, scrutinize those in power and engage in informed public debate.
If political interests determine which organizations, civil society groups or individuals receive access to major media platforms, she warns, the public’s ability to make informed judgments can be weakened.
Metzger is therefore calling for a media environment in which journalists and civil society organizations can discuss difficult national issues without fear that political considerations will determine whether their voices reach the public.
Her message is straightforward:
Political interests should not determine who gets heard on Liberia’s airwaves.
For Metzger, a stronger democracy requires a media sector capable of questioning power, accommodating diverse perspectives and giving citizens access to information—even when those conversations are uncomfortable for political or economic interests.
And in a country where radio remains a vital bridge between public institutions and ordinary citizens, she believes Liberians deserve to hear all sides of the story.
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