The Inquirer
September 9, 2009
The Liberia Media Center (LMC) in collaboration with TrustAfrica yesterday presented a Nikon digital camera to the INQUIRER Newspaper in Monrovia. Speaking prior to the presentation of the camera, the Executive Director of the LMC, Mr. Lawrence Randall said sometime ago his institution conducted series of training for journalists in a bid to help them cover events leading to the achievement of the government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS).
Mr. Randall said following the training it was observed that while the journalists were doing an excellent job the issue of clear photos in the newspapers remains a problem. He said it was then that the LMC listing with one of its partners, TrustAfrica decided to provide cameras to the various newspapers that had participants at the training program. Mr. Randall also spoke about the Media Assistant Strategy which has been released and is to be implemented soon.
Making the presentation, Mr. Sidi Mohamed Diawara, Civil Society Specialist of the Liberia Civil Society Initiative, an affiliate of TrustAfrica expressed TrustAfrica’s desire to identify with civil society including the media. He said his organization is in the business of providing technical assistance to institutions in a bid to build their capacity.
Receiving the camera, INQUIRER Managing Editor, Philip N. Wesseh lauded the LMC and TrustAfrica for the donation and stressed that the media does not need money to put in its pocket but to acquire requisite materials and ensure capacity-building that would enable it carry out its function in a proper manner. He said as Liberia moves toward the election year it is necessary that it builds its capacity and promised that the donated camera will be used for the intended purpose.