Published: November 18, 2024
MONROVIA – The Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) is facing internal turmoil as tensions between Director General Eugene L. Fahngon and Deputy Director General for Public Affairs Alexandra Bainda-Amnon escalate, adding to the already strained environment brought on by workers’ grievances over welfare and safety issues.
The discord was laid bare in a heated exchange of official communications, with Mr. Fahngon accusing Ms. Bainda-Amnon of disrespect and refusal to attend management meetings. In a letter dated November 13, 2024, Mr. Fahngon stated that Ms. Bainda-Amnon’s refusal to participate in senior management meetings—purportedly due to her dissatisfaction with the exclusion of a staff member’s name from the employment listing sent to the Civil Service Agency—was “disrespectful and unacceptable.”
“Your refusal to attend upcoming meetings unless said employee is placed on the employment list is counter-productive to LBS. Your action undermines the ARREST Agenda,” Fahngon wrote, adding that the matter had been reported to the Board of Directors.
Ms. Bainda-Amnon fired back in a November 14 memorandum, denying the allegations and accusing Mr. Fahngon of fostering a hostile work environment. She labeled the accusations as baseless, attributing them to gossip, and criticized his leadership style as authoritarian.
“LBS is not a military camp where you have invoked the PRC decree that has everyone now walking in fear,” Bainda-Amnon responded. She also noted her intention to escalate the matter to the Board of Directors and the Senate Committee Chair on Information and Broadcasting.
Meanwhile, In a November 17 press statement, the Liberia Broadcasting System Workers Union (LIBSWU) has confirmed pressing issues related to workers’ welfare, occupational safety, and health remain unresolved. LIBSWU, however, distanced itself from a press release that circulated social media last week highlighting these issues.
“While the Liberia Broadcasting System Workers Union acknowledges that there exist issues bordering on workers’ welfare, health, and occupational safety… the union continues to engage LBS management to mitigate these critical and pressing issues in order to bring dignity to the workers,” LIBSWU President Joseph O. Sayon and Secretary General Kolubah B.K. Zayzay said in the statement.
The union emphasized that it remains committed to dialogue and will only resort to public declarations if all avenues for discussion with management are exhausted.
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