Smile FM Resumes Normal Broadcast Activities Upon PUL, ALICOR Intervention

Monrovia, Liberia: Smile FM in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, has resumed regular broadcast services following a two-day mediation process led by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the Association of Liberia Community Radio Station (ALICOR).

The intervention, which commenced from 18-19 May 2025, led to the amicable and successful resolution of the disputes over the Board of Advisors and the position of Station Manager of Smile FM, a community radio station.

The station was shut down on May 5, 2025, after violent confrontations involving a group of Grand Gedeh citizens for and against the two competing boards and two station managers, each in possession of separate constitutions and bylaws of Smile FM.

In resolving the disputes, the PUL and ALICOR negotiated the dissolution of all contending boards, leading to the subsequent transparent reconstitution of the Board of Advisors by the nine recognized institutions making up the board.

An acting station manager, Anthony Flahn, was appointed to manage the broadcast network for the period of ninety days, following which a station manager proper would be installed after a transparent and credible recruitment by the newly reconstituted board.

The new Board of Advisors was also tasked to review and reconcile the two constitutions and bylaws of Smile FM, ensuring a unified and credible constitution is adopted, taking best practices into consideration.

The PUL and ALICOR mediation team included Mr. Julius Kanubah, President, PUL; Mr. Teah Doegmah, Chairman, Board of Advisors, ALICOR; Mr. Lawrence Tokpah, Vice President for Operations, ALICOR; and Ms. Christina Sonpon, Station Manager, Radio Kakata in Margibi County.

The mediation trip by the PUL and ALICOR was undertaken jointly with Representative Jeremiah Sokan of District Number One, where Smile FM is located.

The PUL and ALICOR expressed thanks and appreciation to Representative Sokan, Superintendent Alex Grant, and all current and former officials and citizens of Grand Gedeh County who approached the PUL and ALICOR to lead the mediation because of the independence and credibility of both institutions.

PUL President Julius Kanubah and ALICOR Board Chair Teah Doegmah emphasized during the mediation that Smile FM is a community radio station and there must be no political interference in its operations and management.

Meanwhile, PUL and ALICOR commended journalist Solo Uriah Lewis and Madam Jesadeh Barzon for their years of service as station manager and board chair of Smile FM, respectively, praising them for fully cooperating and supporting the mediation.

Smile FM can now smile again, broadcasting content in the interest of the community.