Female Journalists Petition Women’s TV CEO to Contest FEJAL Presidency
By: Laymah Kollie
Monrovia-November 9,2023-WTVNEWS: With approximately four weeks to the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (Fejal) 2023 general elections, a group of female journalists from across the fifteen subdivision of Liberia have petition the owner of Women’s TV Liberia to contest the presidential bid in the elections. The petition ceremony was hosted on the compound of Prime FM in Monrovia.
Lisa Diasay is a multimedia Journalist that has worked in the media landscape for over a decade now. Aside been a journalist, she is also a Human Rights defender and Advocator for women justice and inclusion.
The petition statement read by Journalist Gbolu Beyan from Lofa County outlined challenges women journalists continue to face in the newsroom and the media landscape. The Journalists points keenly focus on gender equality, inequality and limited opportunities for women .
“In Liberia, female journalists have long been the silent heroes of our media landscape, persistently battling against numerous challenges that have hindered their professional growth and success in the industry. The Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) has been instrumental in advocating for gender equality, empowering women in journalism, and amplifying the voices of female journalists in our nation. However, the journey towards equality remains a difficult one, marked by gender disparities, inequality, and limited opportunities for women in the media. These challenges faced by us female journalists in Liberia are multi-faceted. Gender disparities persist in newsrooms, with women often facing unequal pay, fewer leadership opportunities, and limited access to resources. Inequality is further exacerbated by societal biases, making it imperative for an organization like FeJAL to stand as a beacon of hope and progress.”
The media practitioners believe madam Diasay is capable enough to address these situations face by women journalists in the newsroom and the Journalism profession as well.
“Having scanned the entire membership of the Association, we believe that no one is capable enough to provide this kind of leadership at this time other than you Ms. Lisa Tenneh Diasay We, believe that you (Lisa Tenneh Diasay), with your unwavering dedication to the advancement of women journalists and proven track record as a strong advocate for gender equality and equal opportunities, stand as a beacon of light for FeJAL. We are convinced that your leadership can bridge the gender gap, uplift the voices of female journalists, and empower them to thrive in a profession that has for too long been marked by disparities and challenges.
The importance of having you, (Lisa Tenneh Diasay) at the helm of FeJAL cannot be overstated. Your commitment to amplifying women’s voices, creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and championing women’s rights aligns perfectly with the pressing needs of our association and its members. With your leadership, we can address the unique challenges faced by female journalists, promote ethical standards, and establish an accountable and transparent association that truly represents the aspirations and achievements of women in journalism”
The Female Journalists from Lofa, Nimba, Bong, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Montserrado and the Southeastern of Liberia placed their petition on ten major counts to include: Recognition of Outstanding Leadership, A Vision for Empowerment, Amplifying Women’s Voices, Enhancing Networking and Partnership, Championing Women’s Rights through Advocacy, Building a Diverse and Inclusive Environment and Training for Effective Journalism.
Others include: Promoting Ethical Standards, Commitment to Accountability and Transparency and Strengthening Partnership for Advocacy.
“Our decision to petition you today is based on the ten counts below that highlight your capacities and potential to deliver the FEJAL we longed for; and they are as follow: Recognition of Outstanding Leadership: We, the undersigned members, and supporters, acknowledge that your outstanding leadership qualities and immense dedication to the advancement of women journalists in Liberia. Your contributions as a strong advocate for gender equality and equal opportunities for all have demonstrated your suitability and commitment to effectively transform the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL). A Vision for Empowerment: If we women in the media, especially female journalists must contribute to shaping public opinions and influencing public policies, they must be fully empowered to compete or complement our male colleagues. This requires FeJAL to provide them with different opportunities for such. We firmly believe that your passion for empowering others which you are demonstrating through your mentorship programs for both males and females, has qualified you to serve as president of FeJAL. We trust your ability to provide a leadership that will prioritize creating a thriving environment where all females in the media, especially female journalists can shine, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to the profession. Through your advocacy efforts, we trust that she will push for robust programs aimed at enhancing the skills, knowledge, and capacity-building of FeJAL members.”
Furthermore, the Female Journalists then acknowledged the workings of madam Lisa Diasay over the years and promised to elected her in the Female Journalists Association of Liberia December elections.
“Having outlined the counts above, we, the undersigned members, and supporters, acknowledge you Lisa Tenneh Diasay and your outstanding leadership qualities, as well as your immense dedication to the advancement of women journalists in Liberia. Your strong advocacy for gender equality and equal opportunities for all have shown your suitability and commitment to effectively transform the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL). We trust your ability will propel FeJAL to new heights, fostering an environment that exudes inclusivity, professionalism, and empowerment for all women journalists in Liberia. It is against this background that we have assemble and do hereby petition you to contest for the position of President in the upcoming election of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia slated for December 15, 2023. We pledge our unwavering support and commitment to canvas for the votes for a convincing win in this election. Please accept our petition and be assured of our highest esteem as we anticipate a favorite and positive response.”
Meanwhile, Madam Lisa Diasay received the petition with honor and accepted to contest the fejal Presidency comes December. She however appreciated the ladies for recognizing her ability and confident to lead the mother body highest position.
“I want to appreciate everyone of you for taking up your time and entrusting confidence in me to serve as your next president. I wholeheartedly accept this petition and agree to contest fejal Presidency in December 2023. “
The Female Journalists Association of a body solely responsible for the governance of women journalists in the journalism profession . As per her constitution, Fejal goes to election after every three years to elect new code of officers for the operation of the Institution.
