Renowned Liberian Journalist and Founder and Director of the Liberia Media for Democratic Initiatives (LMDI), John O. Kollie, is expected to deliver the Keynote Address for the 5th Commencement Convocation of the Peter Quaqua School of Journalism (PQSJ) today December 18, 2020.

PQSJ has been one of the leading journalism schools in Liberia since its launch in March 2015.

Per the official invitation received from PQSJ Executive Director, Titus W. Tokpah MediaAid, Sr., the commencement is planned for 11AM on Friday, 18 December 2020, at the Victory Outreach Church in Congo Town.

About 107 media students are expected to be awarded diplomas in journalism.

Kollie is a journalist, community social worker and a human rights activist with more than 20 years of experience working in Liberia and around the World.

Besides working for several media institutions and organizations in Liberia, Kollie has worked for Radio France International (RFI) as one of its senior English correspondents in West Africa.

The LMDI Director has also worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Trust as head of a team of eight reporters from West Africa, covering the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor before the UN backed Special Court for Sierra Leone which sat at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

He has received several prestigious awards for his astute practice of the Journalism profession from many national and international institutions, including the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Fellowship at the International Forum for Democratic Studies in Washington D. C.

John holds a Master of Arts Degree in Development Communication and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Communication.

He has also obtained many certificates in journalism and media in peace building from institutions in West Africa and other parts of the World.

The President of the PONOFALO (Light Doesn’t Hide) Graduating Class of PQSJ, Sekou Doko Goddivinefavor Molo Molo Seh, along with other graduands, believes that Director Kollie is the perfect choice to deliver the 2019/2020 commencement address.

“It will be a great honor to have the LMDI Director, a media guru as our Keynote Speaker, ” Sekou said gaily.

Director Kollie will speak on the theme, “Sustaining Liberia’s Democracy: Roles and Responsibilities of the Media.”

It is envisaged that his address will touch a wide range of issues which may include an objective analysis of the current state of Liberia’s democracy before expatiating on the true nature of sustainable democracy. He may climax his address by pointing out what the role and responsibilities of the media should be in sustaining Liberia’s democracy.