This heart-wrenching TV report from the CBC’s Brian Stewart inspired aid projects around the world to assist the famine that swept through Ethiopia in 1984-1985. A combination of a less-than-average rainfall in 1984 and the governments counterinsurgency in the north between the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front and in the south with the Oromo Liberation Front left more than a one million dead, with a total of eight million victims. The media played a key role in increasing global awareness of the famine, mobilizing the people of the world to react.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFPr-zAXNuc

Brian Stewart writes about his experience covering the Ethiopian Famine of 1984-85, the first western journlaist to do so. Click here for the story “Indepth: Ethiopia, Covering the Story” (CBC News Online | December 14, 2004)

Zenu Miller, News Director, RCI

“The Liberian media is aggressive, but it is still bedeviled with challenges, including training and self-sustainability.”

On sensationalism: “There are isolated cases of sensationalism that ought to be proven, naturally. The point is that with a lot of these stories, people don’t challenge them in court – and they need to.”

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Alexander Gee, Police Officer

“The media is trying. There are still limited cases of “cheque-book journalism” [paying for stories]. It used to happen more, but it is now limited.”

“Yeah, I trust the media. They are informing me in the day-to-day activities. It is the truth.”

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Amos M Kanneh, Accounting and Economics student at the University of Liberia

“Yes, of course I trust the media. When it comes to reporting, we respect the Liberian press. But sometimes there are cases where they carry stories that are untrue. The press union should set a criteria for qualified journalists. Press should be focused to gain public confidence. We are Liberian, we should trust our own people and the media to represent us.”

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Kezoe Gayflor, Money Changer

“I only really read Tidings and Champion sports papers. I love sports…. Once I hear of a big issue, I’ll read [the other papers]. They are all fine, reliable information.”

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Ahmed Jackson, Mechanic

“I trust the media, because they give me factual information. But we got so many press here. Each gives information about different stuff. They need to come together and bring the information correct. Make it coherent. If one paper reports one story, it should be the same story [with the same facts] in the other newspapers and radio.”

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Komoyou Teah, Newspaper Vendor

“I am a female vendor…. We especially encourage more females to be working [in the press]. Now it is time in Liberia for the women to stand up and be educated too.”

“To be frank, the press is working hard. We Liberians, we know how hard the press is working….. In all organizations, some are good, some are bad. The majority [of our press] I think is good. So let’s look on the good side.”

“The only thing I want to add is I want to tell the media to keep it up, but watch out. Not everybody likes you. They want to spoil your job. They will say bad about you.”

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Dr Levi Zee Zangai, Former Liberian Minister of Education & Current World Bank Consultant

“One, I think it is very good that we have all these publications. But with few exceptions, we need more training – specifically in ethics…. And two, I think there should be adequate pay so journalists don’t fall prey to the people who can pay [for stories].”

“I can’t put it in black & white, good or bad. Some are good, some are not so good. What I can say is that we need training, and adequate pay, so that one apple cannot spoil the whole barrel. These rotten apples need to be checked.”

“Also, as an educator, I would like to see more news on education. Liberian people told government they want to prioritize the following issues: education, health, and infrastructure – specifically the roads. These issues should be in the press more. They should be just as big [topics] as corruption because they are national development issues the nation has prioritized. I want to see the press focus on them.”

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Winston Daryoue, Journalism Intern, RCI

“On the performance of the Liberian press, I think the media has the courage to provide balance and credible reportage. But additionally, there is need for more capacity building and standardized media equipment to further enhance the work of the press.”

“The role of the media is cardinal to the growth of any nation and there must be honest and competent individuals to serve in this role. I chose this profession to tell the world stories and serve as a bridge between what should be known and those who should know it.”