Published: August 29, 2025
MONROVIA — The newly elected officers of the Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL), the umbrella body for newspaper owners and publishers, will officially take office Saturday at an induction ceremony expected to draw top government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and journalists to Monrovia City Hall.
Vice President Jeremiah Kpan-Koung will serve as keynote speaker at the high-profile event, which will also feature dignitaries from across Liberian society, including representatives of the Press Union of Liberia.
Leadership Transition
The induction marks the beginning of a new leadership trajectory for PAL, established in 1997 and once led by some of the most prominent figures in the Liberian press. Past presidents include Jackson Seeton of The Inquirer, Sando Moore, Stanley Seakor, and outgoing president Othello Garblah of the New Dawn newspaper.
In recent elections, members elected Alphonso Toweh of The New Republic as president, Bai Best of the Daily Observer as vice president, Winnie Saywah Jimmie as secretary, and Chester Smith as financial secretary.
Challenges Facing the Media
The new leadership assumes office at a time when Liberia’s media sector faces mounting challenges. Newspaper advertising revenues have plummeted, leaving many outlets struggling to survive amid competition from social media platforms and the proliferation of radio stations across Monrovia and beyond.
The downturn has made it increasingly difficult for publishers to pay reporters and editors sustainable salaries, forcing many media workers to juggle financial hardships while striving to uphold professional standards.
Toweh’s Promise
President-elect Toweh has vowed to prioritize solutions to the advertising crisis, beginning with outreach to government — the country’s largest advertiser — as well as private companies and international partners.
“We cannot ignore the economic strain on media institutions,” Toweh said after his election. “My leadership will engage the advertising community and push for greater support so that newspapers can remain viable and continue to play their watchdog role.”
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