USA: The Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) is urging Journalists to demand answers from the government that bring harmony to the confusion about the missing billions of Liberian dollars banknotes.
Report by Nyantee Togba_www.nyanteetogba@gmail.com
According to ANC Leader Alexander Cummings, a strong and independent media should monitor those in power and provide accurate information to help voters to hold corrupt politicians to account.
The ANC Political Leader cautioned Journalists to question government on the recent L$16 billion which was reported missing and then suddenly announced by authorities that the money was in the Central Bank vaults.
Alexander Cummings urged the media to maintain a high degree of independence given their role as a watchdog of society and medium through which the government and its people communicate.
“We call on you the Journalists to demand answers from the Liberian government concerning this missing billion Liberian dollars. There is need to know who authoritise the printing of the additional bank notes, where it was printed, how many dollars were printed and much more answers to give.
As watch dogs of the society, we look forward to your work in checkmating government officials including private institutions and provide updates to the public as often as possible,” Cummings said.
He said shirking the responsibility of being independent and selling out to politicians is by itself a threat to free media in Liberia.
The ANC Leader stressed that Media controlled by political forces whose interest may be averse to the national interest is a creeping menace that must be stopped.
Mr. Cummings spoke on Saturday, October 6, at the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas Annual conference in the United States of America.
