(Minneapolis, 21 October 2024) – The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) has expressed concerns regarding allegations of bribes paid to members of Liberia’s House of Representatives in exchange for votes to remove Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa.  ALJA acknowledges the right of lawmakers to pursue the removal of Speaker Koffa, but stresses that such actions must be rooted in transparency, not corruption. ALJA believes bribery erodes trust in Liberia’s democratic institutions and harm the public interest. In a release, the organization also expressed concerns about accusations of financial mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and poor leadership raised against Speaker Koffa by lawmakers seeking his removal. Additionally, ALJA notes Speaker Koffa’spush for transparency in the budget process, including his call for legislative reforms and audits, which could have motivated opposition against him. ALJA calls for an impartial investigation into both the bribery allegations and the financial mismanagement claims. It stresses the importance of restoring public confidence in Liberia’s governance through a transparent and fair process. ALJA is a U.S.-based Liberian media advocacy organization committed to promoting press freedom and fostering good governance through media advocacy. Founded in 1998, ALJA supports accountability and integrity in Liberia’s political affairs.

In a landmark address delivered at the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas - ALJA convention held in Minnesota over the weekend, Representative Naquetta Ricks underscored the indispensable role of the media in Liberia’s forthcoming pivotal elections scheduled for October 10, 2023. As Liberia stands at a significant juncture in its democratic journey, the guest speaker emphasized the media’s duty as not just the fourth estate but as a beacon of hope, a custodian of truth, and a champion of accountability. Drawing upon biblical wisdom, she noted the heightened obligation of journalists to be channels of accurate and precise information, especially given Liberia’s current literacy rate, which, according to data cited from Macrotrends.net and USAID, hovers just over 48%. Representative Ricks strongly advocated for an unwavering commitment to transparency, urging journalists to leverage their curious minds to hold power to account and bring to light any potential irregularities and misconduct that could undermine the electoral process. ‘There is a profound onus on the Liberian media to go beyond merely reporting the news and act as a bridge connecting citizens to their leaders, a watchdog guarding the public interest, and a mirror reflecting the diverse voices and aspirations of our society,’ she stated. Ricks further encouraged media houses to foster informed debates and dialogue, which she described as the lifeblood of progress in a democracy. She highlighted the media's significant role in presenting a platform for candidates to share their visions, for citizens to express their concerns, and for experts to offer analytical insights, all of which would empower Liberians to make informed decisions when casting their votes. As Liberia witnesses a media boom with a remarkable surge in media houses, radio stations, and television outlets over the past two decades, the representative cautioned against the rising tide of misinformation exacerbated by social media and internet penetration. While acknowledging the vast reach of digital platforms, she expressed concerns over untrained social media talk show hosts potentially fostering misinformation and biased reporting. “The proliferation of social media talk show hosts who are untrained in journalism presents an imminent risk to the spread of misinformation and biased reporting. I urge traditional and digital media to collaborate diligently to curb misinformation and foster constructive dialogue,” Ricks asserted. She did not hold back in pinpointing the risks posed by media houses and radio stations owned by politicians, insinuating a substantial threat to objective journalism. In her stirring address, Representative Ricks summoned the media to a higher calling of professionalism, ethics, and objectivity, urging them to eschew sensationalism and bias, which she noted could foster division and mistrust. Highlighting the media's crucial role in promoting peace during the election period, she called for conflict-sensitive journalism and a steadfast commitment to avoid propagating hate speech. As Liberia gears up for what Representative Ricks termed “the most important election of our lifetime,” the message was clear: the media holds the torch in guiding Liberia towards a transparent, peaceful, and democratic election, steering the nation into a future grounded in truth and informed choice. In her concluding remarks at the ALJA convention, Representative Naquetta Ricks brought to the forefront an instance where social media and the general public worked harmoniously to facilitate the arrest of an American missionary attempting to flee after allegedly trying to kill a Liberian woman. The representative emphasized this event to illustrate the immediate impact social media can have when utilized swiftly and effectively in service of justice. Drawing attention to the persistent threat against press freedom in Liberia characterized by assaults on journalists and unwarranted equipment seizures, she stressed the urgent need for media houses to prioritize the safety and well-being of their practitioners. She urged the government to not only protect journalists but also to ensure the swift prosecution of those guilty of orchestrating attacks against them. Ricks candidly addressed a recurrent question concerning independent media in Liberia, acknowledging the challenging environment in which many journalists operate. Many are caught between financial constraints and pressures from sponsors seeking favorable coverage, sometimes at the expense of the truth. “Why not take the money and still report the news? Do you want my life and family to be threatened?” she posed, spotlighting the tough decisions journalists often face. As the nation inches closer to the critical October 10 elections, Representative Ricks called upon citizens to foster a culture of critical thinking, verifying information, and seeking diverse perspectives. She encouraged people to support the media while holding them accountable to maintain high reporting standards. “The role of the Liberian media in ensuring transparent and peaceful elections cannot be overstated,” she emphasized, recognizing media not only as observers but as active participants in the democratic process, which plays a pivotal role in nurturing Liberia’s fragile peace as the country prepares for its fourth transfer of power since 2006. Closing her address with a quote from Thomas Jefferson, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost,” she underscored the intrinsic link between press freedom and democratic liberty. Ricks ended her speech with a rallying call, encouraging a collective embrace of the power of media to usher Liberia into a brighter and more prosperous future. “Thank you, and may these elections be a testament to the strength of our democracy and the power of our media to safeguard it,” she said, leaving the attendees with a hopeful vision of Liberia’s democratic journey fortified by a resilient and fearless media landscape. Representative Naquetta Ricks is the first African immigrant to be elected to the Colorado General Assembly and the first Liberian American to be elected to any state legislature. When she was only 13, she was forced to flee the civil war in Liberia, and her family settled in Aurora, Colorado. Representative Ricks received her undergraduate degree in accounting at MSU and her MBA from the University of Colorado Denver. In the summer of 2023, Rep Ricks was selected to further her leadership education by attending the Harvard Kennedy School's Senior Executives in State & Local Government program. She then operated a successful small mortgage brokerage business and is the founder and President of the African Chamber of Commerce in Colorado USA. As a leading Black woman in business and politics, she works tirelessly to improve her community by helping build economic opportunities and by championing the rights of immigrants and refugees. In her first session in the General Assembly, she led the fight for groundbreaking legislation, including the creation of the Immigration Legal Defense Fund, the Diverse K-12 Educator Workforce Report, the Towing Bill of Rights, and the Behavioral Healthcare Continuum Gap Grant Program.  For her efforts, Representative Ricks has been recognized with many awards, including Habitat for Humanity’s 2021 Legislator of the Year, the 2021 and 2022 Colorado Bankers Association Spurs Award, the 2021 LGBQT Chamber Legislator of the Year, the 2022 Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network Liberty Award, and is a member of Healthier Colorado’s Leadership Circle.

(L) to (R): Priscilla Mah-Belloh, Melissa Chea Annan