Capitol Hill, Monrovia: — The Plenary of the Liberian House of Representatives has mandated the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications along with his Deputies to appear before its Committee on Information, Broadcasting and Tourism on Wednesday to address growing concerns surrounding Liberia’s telecommunications, broadcasting, and digital media sectors.
The decision followed a communication submitted by Pleebo Sodokan Electoral District #2 Representative, Hon. Anthony F. Williams, who raised concerns over what he described as the continued prioritization of foreign content by major broadcasting service providers operating in Liberia, particularly DSTV and similar platforms, at the expense of Liberian content and local creative productions.
In his communication to Plenary, Representative Williams noted that the situation has significantly undermined the growth of Liberia’s creative industry, weakened cultural promotion, and reduced opportunities for Liberian artists, filmmakers, and media professionals to gain both visibility and economic benefit.
The Maryland County lawmaker also highlighted persistent challenges affecting content monetization for Liberian creators on major digital platforms including Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, as well as limited access to digital opportunities for young people across the country.
According to Representative Williams, weak regulatory oversight and the absence of effective policies requiring service providers to support local content and protect national interests continue to hinder youth empowerment, job creation, and the full participation of Liberians in the digital economy.
“As lawmakers entrusted with safeguarding national interests and promoting local economic growth, it is imperative that we seek clarity on what measures are being taken to strengthen policy implementation, enforce regulatory compliance, protect local media stakeholders, and ensure that the communications sector contributes meaningfully to national development,” the communication stated.
The Minister and his Deputies are expected to provide comprehensive explanations on several key issues, including:
✦ The promotion and protection of Liberian content on broadcasting platforms;
✦ Government support for Liberia’s creative industry and media sector;
✦ Digital opportunities and empowerment programs for Liberian youth;
✦ Regulatory enforcement and compliance measures within the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors; and
✦ Policy interventions aimed at protecting Liberia’s communication and broadcasting space.
The House Committee on Information, Broadcasting and Tourism is expected to conduct the hearing and subsequently report its findings and recommendations to Plenary for possible legislative and policy actions.
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