ALJA  honors Three Top Media Professionals for Excellence in Journalism

The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas(ALJA), a conglomeration of current and retired Liberian journalists, has honored three top media professionals with its prestigious award for their excellence in the journalism field.

Those honored were Mr. Peter Quaqua, former President of the Press Union of Liberia(PUL), Mrs. Winnie Christiana Saywah Jimmy, Managing Editor of the Inquirer Newspaper and Titus W. Tokpah, Executive Director of the MediaAid Foundation. 

Mr. Quaqua was awarded for “his role in the fight for and promotion of free speech in Liberia and the sub-region through the abolition of anti-media laws.”

Mrs. Jimmy was recognized for her “outstanding performances, superior dedication and positive attitude on the job over the years that helped to raise the profile of female journalists in Liberia’’, and Mr. Tokpa received the award for his vision to empower and give journalists a head-start, refresher and advanced training in journalism and media services, and his quest to improve the quality of the profession in Liberia.  

The award ceremony, which was announced earlier in September this year as part of ALJA's Annual Convention, was held on Saturday at CEMESP Office in Monrovia. 

Making remarks, PUL former President Quaqua reminded journalists of their role during these elections in maintaining the country’s peace.

“The media is a serious challenge for us here today, we have a responsibility to ensure that these elections don’t slip because we were responsible as journalists; people are in sighting on the radio, you need to pay attention to that, it is important because if it goes wrong you will not broadcast and you will not do your news and all of us will start running again. We have to work to make sure that the wrong thing doesn’t happen,’’ Mr. Quaqua stated.

‘‘Our responsibility in elections cannot be overlooked, we have the right to let the people know what’s happening and try to encourage freedom of expression. the fact that you give people right to speak doesn’t mean it should be put in your news, it is for us to make sure that what goes into the public does not cause trouble,” he added.

Also, Inquirer Managing Editor, Mrs. Jimmy encouraged females to remain positive in their reporting and not allow themselves to be distracted by intimidations.

“To my females, it is always good to bring positive altitude on your job regardless of what the males will say, they will say that we are lazy, we are slow but is good to be positive and I can stand and say maybe my positive attitude is something that landed me here,’’ she stated.

For his part, Mr. Tokpah urged young journalists to double their efforts in ensuring a great future through hard work and perseverance.