In what seems to be a Junta-Style rule of power, the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) has been thrust into the spotlight under the reign of Director-General Eugene L. Fahngon.
With sweeping authority granted by the controversial Human Resource Manual Revised Edition 2017, Fahngon’s leadership is stirring debate and controversies over its far-reaching implications.
The manual, a cornerstone of the LBS’s internal framework, lays out extensive powers for its leadership, allowing for actions typically associated with financial and operational flexibility. It grants the Director-General the power to collect or compromise obligations, manage legal and equitable rights, and even liquidate assets assigned to or held by the LBS. Fahngon is empowered to take actions deemed necessary or desirable for executing transactions, including the acquisition, sale, or management of patents, trademarks, land, buildings, and machinery — all to expand the reach and influence of the institution.
The decree also allows the Director-General the authority to purchase and dispose of properties or intellectual property rights, with or without tangible collateral, granting him significant control over the LBS’s operations. Moreover, the manual provides budgetary autonomy for the Liberia Rural Communications Network (LRCN), which expands the scope of LBS’s influence and reach across the country.
Perhaps most striking is the structural consolidation of power. The Director-General, appointed by the Head of State with the advice and consent of the People’s Redemption Council (PRC), holds absolute authority over the LBS’s operational and policy decisions. The position is supported by a Deputy Director-General and three other Directors overseeing the Radio, Television, and Rural Communications sectors.
This move to centralize decision-making in the hands of the Director-General, supported by the appointment of key personnel, raises questions about the true nature of governance at LBS. With the power to manage the financial, intellectual, and physical assets of the institution, the Director-General’s autonomy has the potential to reshape LBS into a formidable arm of state media directly controlled by the executive.
In a notable incident from May 2024, Director-General Fahngon proposed that LBS be used exclusively for government-related issues, seemingly to exclude opposition figures’ expressions. President Boakai promptly rejected this suggestion during a government retreat at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Monrovia. President Boakai firmly affirmed that LBS would remain a platform for all Liberians, underscoring the importance of media inclusivity. The rejection of Fahngon’s proposal was met with relief by political commentators who feared it might lead to the silencing of critical opposition voices, particularly those opposed to the Boakai administration. Fahngon, known for his combative demeanor, previously served as Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs under the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and was embroiled in controversial relations with journalists and media institutions. His rise to the Director-General position was largely attributed to his loyalty to President Boakai during the 2023 presidential election.
Fahngon is also engaged in a public dispute with the past LBS leadership, led by Estella Liberty Kemoh, accusing her of mismanagement and fund misappropriation during her tenure. However, Kemoh has denied these allegations and filed a formal complaint with the Minister of Information, Hon. Jerolinmek Matthew Piah.
Fahngon’s broad powers at LBS, combined with his controversial past, raise serious questions about media freedom and the role of LBS in a democratic society. President Boakai’s stance on maintaining LBS as an inclusive platform reflects his commitment to freedom of expression and the democratic process.
