Smile FM Resumes Broadcast After Successful Mediation inZwedru

By: Esther Natelia Scott

Smile FM, a prominent community radio station in Zwedru, has
officially resumed full broadcast operations following a successful two-day
mediation led by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the Association of
Liberia Community Radio Stations (ALICOR).

The mediation, held from May 18–19, brought an end to a
prolonged leadership and governance crisis that had kept the station off the
air since May 5. The conflict centered around rival factions, each claiming
legitimacy under different constitutions and sets of bylaws, and supporting
separate boards of advisors and station managers.

As part of the resolution, PUL and ALICOR facilitated the
dissolution of all competing boards. A new Board of Advisors was transparently
reconstituted by nine recognized institutions affiliated with Smile FM.

 The board is now
tasked with harmonizing the previously conflicting constitutions into a single,
credible governance framework aligned with best practices for community media.

Mr. Anthony Flahn has been appointed as Acting Station
Manager for a three-month interim period. A permanent manager will be selected
through a competitive and transparent process overseen by the new board.

The mediation team comprised PUL President Julius Kanubah,
ALICOR Board Chair Teah Doegmah, ALICOR Vice President for Operations Lawrence
Tokpah, and Radio Kakata Station Manager Christina Sonpon. They were joined by
Representative Jeremiah Sokan of District #1, home to Smile FM.

In a joint statement, PUL and ALICOR thanked Representative
Sokan, Grand Gedeh County Superintendent Alex Grant, and other local leaders
and citizens for entrusting the process to them. The institutions emphasized
their commitment to independence and credibility throughout the mediation.

Kanubah and Doegmah underscored the importance of shielding
Smile FM from political interference, reaffirming its essential role in serving
the community through accurate and inclusive information dissemination.

Both institutions also extended commendations to journalist
Solo Uriah Lewis and Madam Jesadeh Barzon for their dedicated service as former
Station Manager and Board Chair, respectively.

With the crisis resolved, citizens have expressed relief and
optimism. Community members are now urging the interim leadership to maintain
transparency and accountability, while encouraging staff and journalists to
remain focused and cooperative under the new leadership.