Greenbelt, Maryland, USA – Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine KpeheNgafuan, has cautioned Liberian journalists at home and abroad to uphold truth and balance in their reporting, warning that sensational and politically slanted coverage can undermine the nation’s credibility and scare away potential investors.
Speaking during the 13th National Convention of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) in Greenbelt, Maryland, Ngafuan said that while the media serves as a necessary watchdog, it must also act responsibly to protect the country’s image and support its development goals.
“If the eyes can only see the bad when lots of good things are happening, then the heart of that person has the problem,” the former Foreign Minister declared, drawing applause from journalists and guests.
Ngafuan said Liberia’s economy, already recovering under the Boakai administration, depends heavily on investor confidence. That confidence, he warned, is fragile and can be easily eroded by misleading headlines, unverified claims, and media bias.
“Reckless disregard for facts and hate-laden commentary have consequences beyond politics,” Ngafuan noted. “They distort public perception, fuel division, and discourage the very partners we need to rebuild our country.”
He urged ALJA and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to take the lead in strengthening media ethics and capacity by developing structured training programs for both professional journalists and emerging online influencers.
“The lines between mainstream and citizen journalism are fading,” Ngafuan said. “Rather than lament this change, we should shape it — train these voices, engage them, and help them understand that with influence comes responsibility.”
The Finance Minister emphasized that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration welcomes constructive criticism and open debate but wants such discussions grounded in truth and national interest.
“We are not asking for praise-singing,” Ngafuan clarified. “We are asking for fairness — for journalism that informs, not inflames.” The ALJA convention, which runs through the weekend, brings together Liberian journalists from across the U.S. and Liberia to discuss professional ethics, press freedom, and the media’s role in national transformation.
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