oneMen can make a difference / CoolCharity
“My struggle for press freedom in Liberia nearly cost memy life several times. I was imprisoned; I was shot andour office was set on fire. But I nevertheless returned tomy home country. The decision was difficult. But I justhad to come back; there is so much to be done still.”After living in exile in the Netherlands for eight years,oneMen pioneer Tom Kamara successfully launchedthe paper version of the only independent Liberian newspaper,the New Democrat, on 19 March 2005. In the lastfew years, security fears meant the paper only publishedits news reports on the internet. The paper’s objectivenews reporting wasn’t to the liking of the ex-presidentTaylor regime. Taylor prevented journalists from doingtheir work and drove them to flee the country.“Being back in Liberia is completely different than I hadimagined. It was a shock to find that my country wasso badly devastated. The capital doesn’t even have basicfacilities, like paved roads and electricity. In such circumstancesit is a huge challenge to publish a newspaper.
oneMen can make a difference / CoolCharity
My aim is to make the New Democrat play a leading rolein the transition to democracy in Liberia. During theelections last year, we published extra editions.I am pleased that there is hope for restoration in my country.Press freedom has been re-established, in theory in anycase, because it is striking that the New Democrat is theonly paper that makes use of this newly acquired freedom.All the other papers are connected to politicians and arefar from objective. There is a great need for reliable information,also in the rural areas, where people are cut offfrom the news sources.
oneMen can make a difference / CoolCharity
That’s why we make sure that ourpaper is also distributed outside the capital.Despite the fragile beginnings of peace, I am still oftenscared. If you write the truth in Africa, you get into trouble.I have already been threatened several times. In theevenings after work, I go home as quickly as I can. Thereare still many Taylor henchmen around, who are not toopleased with my critical pen. Some people say I am madand believe that I am risking my life. But thanks to thesupport of many, I find the force to carry on.”
oneMen can make a difference / CoolCharity
