The first-ever Presidential Dinner, hosted by the Liberian government to celebrate media collaboration, has drawn sharp criticism from journalists and bloggers who say they were disrespected and overlooked during the event.
The Bloggers Association of Liberia (BAL), whose members attended with official invitations, expressed frustration after being excluded from formal recognition. Unlike other media outlets, BAL representatives were not called upon for remarks or acknowledged, an oversight that has ignited calls for accountability.
Attendees described the event as disorganized, with Anthony Fofana, the President of BAL singling out Kula Fofana for failure to introduce bloggers and new journalists. “She ignored everyone, even when Christopher Onanuga reminded her,” Fofana stated. “It was outright disrespect to female bloggers and djournalists.”
The backlash extended beyond BAL, with other journalists reporting feeling marginalized as government officials took center stage. Many expected the dinner to foster open dialogue but left disappointed by the lack of engagement. “If you invite the media, treat them as partners, not props,” one attendee remarked.
The incident has reignited debates about Liberia’s commitment to media inclusion, with critics urging event organizers to avoid repeating what they call a “public relations misstep.” As one journalist bluntly put it: “Don’t call the media when you’re not ready to respect them.”
