On March 16, we proudly celebrate the second anniversary of the Oracle News Daily. This milestone serves not only as a reflection of our journey but also as a moment to reaffirm our commitment to providing the people of Liberia with reliable, trustworthy information necessary for making informed decisions.
In a time when credible journalism is a beacon of hope, we embrace our role as your trusted source of news amid the challenges that lie ahead.
Recent statistics paint a stark picture of our nation. According to the World Bank, Liberia ranks a sobering 180th of 190 countries in terms of development. As we steer through everyday life, a chilling 59 percent of our fellow citizens were classified as poor as of 2016.
Today, that figure—estimated at six out of ten—echoes in the streets, the rural areas, and the communities that can scarcely make ends meet. This persistent poverty is coupled with low human development, a reality so dire that a newborn child today can expect to reach only 32 percent of their potential productivity due to the constraints of current healthcare and education systems.
What does this mean for journalism in Liberia? It means that the media, the very oxygen of our democracy, is under threat—not only from financial instability but also from the broader socio-economic challenges that marginalize its role in national development.
Our voices are often drowned out by the noise of disinformation, financial strains, and the disheartening proliferation of sensational stories that distract from what truly matters: the health, education, and prosperity of our people.
Our commitment at Oracle News Daily goes beyond just reporting: we dedicate ourselves to elevating the narratives that matter—stories that resonate with the experiences of Liberians, particularly those in the most vulnerable communities. We understand that access to reliable information is a fundamental right and a necessary tool for empowering our citizens to advocate for themselves and their communities.
But to effectively fulfill this mission, we must take action. We call on our government and policymakers to develop a Marshall Plan for journalism in Liberia—an initiative designed to create clear funding sources that can revitalize our media landscape.
A structured approach to financing journalism will enable news organizations to operate sustainably, invest in quality reporting, and maintain independence. Journalism should not only survive but thrive, serving as an essential pillar of democracy and civic engagement.
We recognize that Liberia’s struggle with pervasive food insecurity, inadequate sanitation, and the impacts of climate change cannot be separated from the journey of journalism. As these issues affect the daily lives of our citizens, so too should the media’s reporting reflect the realities they face.
We seek to foster an informed citizenry, one that is capable of driving change and holding authorities accountable for the pressing challenges that affect us all.
As we commemorate our journey over the past two years, we express our heartfelt gratitude to our valued readers, advertisers, and supporters. Your interest and investment in quality journalism empower us to persist in our endeavors. Our core values—integrity, reliability, accuracy, intelligence, fairness, transparency and the pursuit of truth—remain steadfast as we navigate our responsibilities to our country and the world.
The Oracle News Daily is committed to serving you, our readers, with authentic stories that inspire, inform, and invoke action. Let us work together to champion a future where journalism flourishes, bolstering Liberia’s democratic fabric and illuminating pathways toward a better quality of life for all.
Here’s to two years of impactful journalism and to the many more ahead as we strive to inform and empower our country!
