[By: Pewu Y. Sumo]
MONROVIA – Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah has issued a sharp rebuttal to a local daily’s “sensational” headline, accusing the publication of manufacturing bad news where none exists.
Speaking during the Ministry of Information’s (MOI) regular press briefing on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Minister Piah criticized the news outlet for its recent headline, which read: “Crowded but Cashless.”
A “Naked Desire to be Negative”
The Information Minister described the headline as a “naked desire to be negative,” expressing his disappointment over what he characterized as a trend of pessimistic reporting.
Minister Piah specifically challenged the publisher’s logic, questioning how a marketplace could be simultaneously “crowded” and “cashless.” He argued that the headline is a direct contradiction of terms, noting that “cashless” implies a total lack of money.
“Why is the area even crowded if there is no money?” Piah asked, questioning the premise of the report.
Context of the Dispute
The Minister’s remarks were in response to a report detailing the heavy congestion in marketplaces during the festive season. The publication claimed that despite the large crowds of shoppers, there was a significant lack of purchasing power among the public.
Minister Piah dismissed this narrative, suggesting that the high volume of people in commercial areas is a clear indicator of economic activity rather than a lack of funds.
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