Monrovia, Liberia – The Reporters Association of Liberia (RAL) and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) have called for the immediate removal of Eugene Fahngon as Director General of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS). The two organizations accuse Fahngon of creating a toxic workplace, violating labor laws, and failing to uphold transparency and accountability at the state-owned broadcaster.

In a press statement on January 24, 2025, RAL Acting Secretary-General Bobby M. Tingban and President Willie N. Tokpah expressed outrage over Fahngon’s alleged dismissal of LBS Workers Union President Joseph Sayon, calling it a clear violation of Liberia’s labor laws that protect workers’ rights to unionize. The RAL warned that Fahngon’s actions have created a hostile work environment, threatening the functionality of the broadcaster. They urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to intervene immediately, calling for Sayon’s reinstatement and an acting leadership team to stabilize the organization.

The PUL echoed these concerns in its statement, signed by President Julius Kanubah, following a weeklong investigation into the leadership crisis at LBS. The PUL criticized Fahngon’s leadership as marked by “gross administrative ineptitude,” citing unilateral decisions, a lack of inclusivity, and disregard for basic principles of collaborative management.

Central to the controversy is Fahngon’s dismissal of Sayon, who had advocated for restoring workers’ benefits and challenged what the union labeled “managerial authoritarianism.” Both organizations condemned the dismissal as unconstitutional and a targeted attempt to silence dissent.

The PUL also criticized Fahngon for invoking Military Decree #20 from Liberia’s past military regime to justify his actions. The outdated decree grants sweeping powers to the LBS Director General but conflicts with Liberia’s democratic principles. Fahngon’s reliance on this decree, the PUL argued, undermines the nation’s progress toward democratic governance.

Additionally, the PUL highlighted Fahngon’s exclusion of three deputies appointed by President Boakai, further deepening divisions within the organization and eroding trust between management and staff.

Both the RAL and PUL called for sweeping reforms at LBS to transform it into a genuine public service broadcaster. They proposed a merit-based system to ensure independence, impartiality, and a focus on public interest, which they said would restore LBS’s integrity and long-term sustainability.

The leadership crisis at LBS has drawn national attention, with media professionals viewing it as a test of the Boakai administration’s commitment to press freedom and workers’ rights. The RAL and PUL warned that failure to address the issues could have severe implications for Liberia’s media landscape.

They urged President Boakai to take swift and decisive action to resolve the crisis, ensure labor rights are respected, and establish LBS as a credible public service institution.