Paynesville, Liberia – The Professional Journalism School of Liberia (PJSL) today, Saturday, September 20, 2025, celebrates another milestone as it holds its 5th graduation ceremony, conferring diplomas on over 60 aspiring journalists from across the country.
The graduation event, taking place at the Church of Christ near the GSA Road Junction in Paynesville, brings together family members, friends, educators, and national dignitaries in a colorful ceremony that marks the end of an intensive nine months academic and practical training journey for the graduates.
This year’s occasion will be graced by the Speaker of the 55th Legislature of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Koon, who serves as the keynote speaker. His presence reflects the growing recognition of PJSL’s role in shaping Liberia’s next generation of professional media practitioners.
Founded in 2019 by a collective of veteran and young journalists, the Professional Journalism School of Liberia has rapidly grown into a recognized institution offering professional diploma programs in Journalism and Media Studies. Officially registered with the Liberia Business Registry on November 30, 2019, the school began offering courses in early 2020 and has since expanded its operations beyond Montserrado to Nimba County, with future plans for Grand Bassa and other regions.
The diploma program is structured into three academic phases, each spanning approximately three months, and includes a mandatory internship component, ensuring that students gain real-world experience before graduation.
“Today is not just a day of celebration; it’s a demonstration of resilience, commitment, and the growing appetite for quality media training in Liberia,” said Courage J.C. Mulbah, Executive Director of PJSL, in conversation with Verity News. “We are proud of our students and of the path we are charting toward a more professional and responsible media landscape.”
The institution operates under the leadership of Executive Director Mulbah, Dean of Student Affairs Jimmy Brimah, and Registrar Madam Lydia Slapeh, along with a committed administrative team including Siaka Stevens, Bobby Wilson, Jeff Jefferson, and Atty. Edmond Tuazama among others.
Despite challenges ~ including public scrutiny over its accreditation status ~ PJSL continues to affirm that it does not grant university degrees but rather professional diplomas and certificates, placing it outside the regulatory scope of the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE). The institution operates with an active permit from the Ministry of Education, with its most recent renewal granted in March 2025.
PJSL’s tuition-free structure for many of its cohorts has made it an attractive option for aspiring journalists, particularly in the face of limited capacity in public universities such as the University of Liberia. This accessibility, coupled with the school’s expansion beyond Monrovia, speaks to a broader movement to decentralize education and build professional capacity in underserved areas.
In March 2022, the school held its first graduation ceremony in Nimba County, attended and praised by then Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., marking a pivotal moment in its regional outreach and acceptance.
As today’s graduates receive their diplomas, they join a growing network of PJSL alumni contributing to Liberia’s media and communications sectors.
“PJSL has played a pivotal role in opening doors for people like me who had the passion but not the opportunity,” said Emmanuel T. Lloyd, a graduate. “Now I’m ready to serve, to inform, and to uphold the ethics of journalism.”
With plans for continued expansion and a clear commitment to nurturing skilled, ethical, and community-oriented journalists, the Professional Journalism School of Liberia remains a beacon of opportunity and professionalism in the evolving landscape of Liberian media.
