Newly Confirmed Information Minister Vows to Combat Fake News in Boakai’s Government
By: Laymah Kollie
Monrovia-February 28,2024: The newly confirmed Minister of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism, Jerolinmek Piah has vow to extensively combat the spread of disinformation and fake news in the public under the Administration of President Joseph Boakai.
The Minister, appearing before Senate plenary Monday 27th February for confirmation hearing counted the spread of fake news, disinformation, misinformation as gaps currently confronting the information sector of the Country.
According to Minister Piah, the main cause of these issues hugely derive from the lack of timely information dissemination from the government, which his administration will tackle.
He stated that his team will collectively partner with the Press Union of Liberia to govern media institutions in spreading accurate, balanced and clear information.
“We want to combat fake news, disinformation. I will be providing stewardship to the communication arm of the government. We will foster a hold of government communication approach. To strengthen partnerships with the Liberian media. We Will plead with the PUL to do more in working with their members in minimizing fake news”.
Minister Piah also mentioned the facilitation of public communication with ministries and agencies based on truth telling as a major way of enhancing communication to the public.
“We will be Facilitating public communication based on truth telling. Coordination of government ministries, and agencies and with the media. Develop programs to provide Liberians with credible information. Timely and credible information will provide trust”.
Speaking on Tourism, the information Minister highlighted the creation of programs at the Ministry which will advance the sector.
Minister Piah said his team will craft tangible programs that will boost the sector, thereby attracting investors to Liberia.
“To improve tourism programs. We will Promote Liberia’s culture. Develop programs to provide Liberians with credible information”.
Meanwhile, on the issue of employees welfare, Minister Piah stressed the need to develop a professional working environment that will cater to the needs of the ministries employees.
“ we will improve their welfare by creating a professional and working environment for our employees. We will work to change their story”.
Minister Jerolinmek Piah served as a former Press Secretary to former Liberian leader, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Piah, a product of Kennedy School of Governance of Harvard University is a Reformer, Public Administrator, Agriculturist, Foreign Relations from the University of Liberia.
