The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has a new Director of Public Affairs. He is experienced Liberian broadcast journalist, Jacob N.B. Parley. The high volume pen- pusher was appointed recently by Commerce and Industry Minister, Professor Wilson K. Tarpeh, with a mandate to help step up the Ministry’s outreach programs through an effective and efficient communication strategy. Journalist Parley brings to the table considerable wealth of experience in media issues and his followers and admirers believe strongly that he  understands the terrain well, considering his extensive years of professional practice in both print and broadcast journalism. Mr. Parley, prior to his appointment to the position served extensively in the Liberian media in various capacities, including former Vice President of the Press Union of Liberia.

While serving as Vice President of the Press Union of Liberia from 2008-2010, Journalist Parley and the Late Martin F. Kerkula,   represented the Liberian media community in Accra,Ghana, on a media study tour that led to the drafting of the First Terms of Reference (TOR) for the establishment of Liberia’s first multi stakeholders’ group to look into issues of ethical transgression in the Liberian media. The work of Mr. Parley and the Late Journalist and ex-Bong County Lawmaker, Martin F.Kerkula, laid the foundation for the birth of Liberia’s first National Media Council, currently headed by former Information Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Bowier.

At the Liberia Broadcasting System where  the experienced Liberian journalist worked for nearly 21 years before  leaving recently,   he spent over a decade on the editorial team, occupying various positions, including  Editor-In- Chief(two times), Sub-editor(two times), News editor, News Director and Executive Mansion Correspondent.
At the national broadcaster (ELBC), Parley, on several occasions spearheaded the   provision of mentorship for mass communication graduating students from the University of Liberia and the United Methodist University who were sent on internship.

His diligence and ability to produce good results, coupled with expertise in media issues led to his certification in 2015 by the Kamara A. Kamara PUL-led leadership as a media trainer. As a demonstration of his brilliance, Mr. Parley was subsequently dispatched to Kings FM in Monrovia to provide mentorship for news staff at the media entity, a task he executed with diligence.  Besides, he was also named by the Late Kamara A. Kamara, as secretary general to the manpower development and training committee of the Press Union of Liberia.

 In 2015, Mr. Parley and another renowned Liberian broadcast journalist, Michael Toh, conducted    an intensive in- house capacity building for on air staff of   Prime FM before the entity resumed official services to the public.
He also worked with several other media institutions in Liberia, including Editorial consultant, (the defunct Equality Trumpet Newspaper), Editor (Insight Newspaper) Editor (Focus Newspaper) and freelance reporter, Heritage Newspaper,etc.

He is one of the two Liberian journalists invited two years ago by the West African Sub-regional Office of the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Dakar, Senegal, to participate in the establishment of the ECOWAS Economic Journalists Network. Mr. Parley’s media knowledge is refined by a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations from the Foreign Service Institute, with emphasis in development diplomacy. He is a former student leader at the United Methodist University, former school administrator, former teacher and former secretary general of the Liberia Broadcasting System Workers Union.

Jacob also carries close to ten certificates in journalism, two of which were earned from the People’s Republic of China, one in news gathering and editing.  

The Commerce Ministry’s new Director of Public Affairs has written volumes of media opinions on economic, political, diplomatic and social issues in Liberia for the past sixteen years. His works include: (1. When A Journalist Is Interviewed By Criminals Against His Will; 2. Upholding Media Aristocracy In Today’s Liberia,3. Washing the Liberian Media with Hyssop As “Negative Reportage” Widens) 4. Liberia-US Relations- A Tale of Three Female Ambassadors, 5. Little Things That Could Help Us But Often Seriously Overlooked) etc.

Meanwhile Journalist Parley’s media colleagues, friends, and admirers are commending Commerce Minister, Professor Wilson K. Tarpeh for the decision.
They expressed confidence that Journalist Parley, with God above, including his experience will live up to the assigned task.