Background of the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism (MICAT)
The Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism (MICAT) is one of the oldest cabinet-level Ministries of the Liberian government. It statutory responsibilities include to disseminate information to the Liberian public.
Vital sections under the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism
1. The New Liberia Newspaper is a government–owned media institution. It is the medium through which government explains its policies and programs to the people. The newspaper provides a link between the government and the people, as well as the global community. The newspaper needs to be urgently reactivated to justify the mandate for which it was established.
2. The Center Printing Inc. (CPI) is another vital department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism that needs urgent attention. One of the statutory responsibilities of the CPI is to undertake the printing of all government documents. Reactivation of this section is very important because it will not only save government huge printing expenses, but will also facilitate the easy production of the New Liberia Newspaper and facilitate funds for the upkeep of the printing press. It shall also serve as central controlling units where all government ministries and agencies will print their documents at a minimal cost; and to some extent protect the confidentiality of certain official documents as opposed to the commercial press. During the civil conflict CPI was extensively looted and efforts to restore it to prewar status have been beset by serious financial challenges.
3. Liberia News Agency (LINA)—the creation of national news agencies in Africa was to afford Africans the opportunity to objectively write about themselves and their Continent. Under the technical and economic agreement between the Liberian and German governments, the Liberia News Agency (LINA) was established in 1979 to provide an outlet for the dissemination of information on government’s programs, policies and activities. The 14-years conflict brought its activities to a standstill. It was somehow reactivated in 1991, but not as compared to its pre-war status due to the lack of support. Prior to the war, LINA had regional offices all over Liberia. Those offices bridged the communications gap that existed between the government and the citizens in the rural areas. LINA regional offices also provided a space for feedback from the ordinary people to government on its policies and programs. There is a need to review the Joint Partnership Project agreement initiated by both the Liberian and German governments that seeks the autonomy of the agency to revitalize it.
4. Broadcasting Department—this department is responsible to educate and inform the rural populace throughout Liberia’s the 16 counties about government’s policies and programs. It needs immediate reactivation to begin the dissemination of such information to every part of the country.
5. Television—this section of the Ministry was created to project the positive image of government, as well as inform the citizenry of government activities on a daily basis. The resumption of such programs like SUNDAY PANORAMA and MID-WEEK MAGAZINE, that were aired on state-owned television, highlighted the activities of government during the week. News clippings on official functions shall also be produced by this section and distributed to other television stations for airing.
6. Photo section—this is the section responsible for processing and storing of official photographs for reference purposes. It provides official photographs for the presidency, government officials and other dignitaries. At the moment this section lacks basic equipment such as digital cameras, films, etc.
7. Graphic Arts—this is where government policies are depicted through images so that the ordinary people who cannot read or write will still be able to understand what those policies and plans are. The graphic arts section shall be revitalized to cover all of Liberia and ensure that government‘s plans and actions are understood by all.
8. Culture—this is the section responsible for preserving the culture heritage of Liberia. At present, the National Museum, Harper museum, Kendeja and Besao Culture centers are among some of the cultural sites that were destroyed as a result of the war and need rehabilitation.
9. Tourism—although many of the tourist sites in Liberia were destroyed during the war; hence there is still the potential for tourism development in the country. Sites like the Providence Island where the first settlers that came to Liberia landed 162 years ago, Lake Piso, one of three of the largest lakes in west Africa, the Kpatawee waterfall in Bong County, the Blue Lake in Bomi County, are places that need investment in the tourism sector.
Vital sections under the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism
1. The New Liberia Newspaper is a government–owned media institution. It is the medium through which government explains its policies and programs to the people. The newspaper provides a link between the government and the people, as well as the global community. The newspaper needs to be urgently reactivated to justify the mandate for which it was established.
2. The Center Printing Inc. (CPI) is another vital department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism that needs urgent attention. One of the statutory responsibilities of the CPI is to undertake the printing of all government documents. Reactivation of this section is very important because it will not only save government huge printing expenses, but will also facilitate the easy production of the New Liberia Newspaper and facilitate funds for the upkeep of the printing press. It shall also serve as central controlling units where all government ministries and agencies will print their documents at a minimal cost; and to some extent protect the confidentiality of certain official documents as opposed to the commercial press. During the civil conflict CPI was extensively looted and efforts to restore it to prewar status have been beset by serious financial challenges.
3. Liberia News Agency (LINA)—the creation of national news agencies in Africa was to afford Africans the opportunity to objectively write about themselves and their Continent. Under the technical and economic agreement between the Liberian and German governments, the Liberia News Agency (LINA) was established in 1979 to provide an outlet for the dissemination of information on government’s programs, policies and activities. The 14-years conflict brought its activities to a standstill. It was somehow reactivated in 1991, but not as compared to its pre-war status due to the lack of support. Prior to the war, LINA had regional offices all over Liberia. Those offices bridged the communications gap that existed between the government and the citizens in the rural areas. LINA regional offices also provided a space for feedback from the ordinary people to government on its policies and programs. There is a need to review the Joint Partnership Project agreement initiated by both the Liberian and German governments that seeks the autonomy of the agency to revitalize it.
4. Broadcasting Department—this department is responsible to educate and inform the rural populace throughout Liberia’s the 16 counties about government’s policies and programs. It needs immediate reactivation to begin the dissemination of such information to every part of the country.
5. Television—this section of the Ministry was created to project the positive image of government, as well as inform the citizenry of government activities on a daily basis. The resumption of such programs like SUNDAY PANORAMA and MID-WEEK MAGAZINE, that were aired on state-owned television, highlighted the activities of government during the week. News clippings on official functions shall also be produced by this section and distributed to other television stations for airing.
6. Photo section—this is the section responsible for processing and storing of official photographs for reference purposes. It provides official photographs for the presidency, government officials and other dignitaries. At the moment this section lacks basic equipment such as digital cameras, films, etc.
7. Graphic Arts—this is where government policies are depicted through images so that the ordinary people who cannot read or write will still be able to understand what those policies and plans are. The graphic arts section shall be revitalized to cover all of Liberia and ensure that government‘s plans and actions are understood by all.
8. Culture—this is the section responsible for preserving the culture heritage of Liberia. At present, the National Museum, Harper museum, Kendeja and Besao Culture centers are among some of the cultural sites that were destroyed as a result of the war and need rehabilitation.
9. Tourism—although many of the tourist sites in Liberia were destroyed during the war; hence there is still the potential for tourism development in the country. Sites like the Providence Island where the first settlers that came to Liberia landed 162 years ago, Lake Piso, one of three of the largest lakes in west Africa, the Kpatawee waterfall in Bong County, the Blue Lake in Bomi County, are places that need investment in the tourism sector.