President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has assured members of the Fourth Estate that her government will continue to ensure that the media remains free. The President encouraged the Liberian media to exercise the freedom guaranteed under the Constitution, "because we are committed, in a democracy, to those basic freedoms that are fundamental." However, the Liberian leader cautioned, freedom goes with responsibility, and she urged media practitioners to exercise that balance.

The President praised the partnership between government and the media, noting that the media has played an effective role as the watchdog of the society. She described the past six years as good, with lots of progress and challenges. "It is because we both support the partnership that we were able to earn the award as one of those that permitted a free press, promoted freedoms. We could not have done it without your support," President Sirleaf added.

An Executive Mansion release says the Liberian leader was speaking Wednesday night at the Monrovia City Hall during an Annual Media Dinner hosted by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Public Affairs Department of the Ministry of State.

The President spoke of a vigorous decentralization program to be pursued by government, and urged the media to be responsive to the initiative. The Liberian leader also spoke of the crucial role of community radio stations in the promotion of government's decentralization program, and promised to work with them to achieve the objective.

President Sirleaf called on the media to help examine officials to be named to a new Cabinet following the January 16 inauguration. She said efforts have been made to conduct background checks on appointed officials, but urged the press to join in the effort, "as you try also to examine and use your sources to bring to our attention anything that might cause us some embarrassment in the appointment of people."

In remarks, the President of the Press Union of Liberia, Mr. Peter Quaqua, spoke of the need for reconciliation at all levels of Liberian society, including the press. He admitted some shortfalls during the elections process, but reminded media officials and other political actors that the elections are now over and it is time to heal the wounds and reconcile. He said the PUL would remain engaged with government and other partners as the country moves forward.

Other speakers at Wednesday's program included: Acting Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah; the Daily Observer's Publisher and Managing Director, Kenneth Y. Best; the Acting Director-General of the Liberian Broadcasting System, Prof. Alhaji Kromah; the President of the Female Journalist Association of Liberia, Ms. Torwon S. Brown; and the president of the Association of Liberia Community Radios, Mr. William Quire.

The occasion, a blend of comedy and songs and speeches, was the second Annual Media Dinner, and attracted more than three hundred media executives and practitioners.