Monrovia – Local Voices Liberia (LVL), a leading fact-checking institution in Liberia, has extended its partnership with two prominent radio stations, Prime FM 105.5 and Kool 91.9 FM, to promote information integrity and ensure the public consumes credible, fact-checked information.
These partnerships mark a significant step in LVL’s mission to counter disinformation and enhance informed decision-making among Liberians.
As part of the partnership, both radio stations will broadcast fact-check segments produced by LVL’s dedicated fact-checking desk. The partnership is part of the Liberia Media Empowerment Project (LMEP) implemented by Internews in Liberia with funding from the European Union in Liberia. OK is already partnering with LVL to promote fact-checking through the airing of radio segments on its two prime-time radio programs.
Prime FM will air these segments on its flagship programs, The Prime Morning Drive and The BRUMM on Tuesday and Thursday while Kool FM will also reach listeners across Paynesville and surrounding areas with regular fact-checks on the Kool Morning Ride and the Heat – the station’s two flagship current affairs programs.
Both stations will also receive in-house fact-checking training from Local Voices Liberia for their staff to foster a culture of accuracy and verification in their newsrooms.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Friday, November 1 at Prime FM and Monday, November 4 at Kook FM, LVL Executive Director, Atty. Alpha Daffae Senkpeni highlighted the urgency of countering misinformation in Liberia, especially given the rise of unverified information in traditional media and social media.
Figure 1Musa Kamara (R) who signed on behalf of Kool FM posed with Atty. Senkpeni for a photograph following the signing of the MOU on Monday, November 4.
“The spread of unchecked information can have dangerous consequences,” Atty. Senkpeni stated. “Our goal at Local Voices Liberia is to provide the public with credible, authentic information by scrutinizing and verifying claims responsibly, helping Liberians make decisions based on facts.”
Senkpeni emphasized that LVL’s fact-checking efforts will affirm true information and correct inaccuracies in the public space.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Prime FM and Kool FM, as this will allow us to reach a wider audience and strengthen our impact,” he added, describing the partnerships as “significant milestones” in advancing information integrity in Liberia.
Prime FM’s Director of Radio, Vehzelee Sumo, welcomed the collaboration, viewing it as a valuable addition to Liberian journalism.
“Fact-checking is relatively new in our media landscape, and as a station committed to accuracy, balance, and credibility, we’re excited to incorporate LVL’s fact-check segments into our broadcasts,” Sumo stated.
Musa Kamara, who signed on behalf of the management of Kool 91.9 FM, the importance of factual information, thanking LVL for including Kool FM in its mission to deliver accurate information to the public.
“Thank you for choosing Kool FM as one of the media institutions to air the fact-checking segment. We are happy to work with you to deliver accurate information to our listeners,” Kamara said.
Discussion about this post