Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS)
The Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) is the country’s national state-owned broadcasting network. Established in 1960, LBS was initially managed by Rediffusion London, a British communications firm. Control of the broadcaster was formally transferred to the Liberian government in 1968. Today, LBS operates both radio and television services, serving as a primary platform for government communications and national programming.
Media assets
Television: LNTV, Metro TV
Radio: ELBC 99.9 FM, Metro 89.9
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
LBS is a government-owned corporation governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. All board members, as well as the Director General and senior management, are appointed directly by the President of Liberia. This structure embeds the broadcaster firmly within the executive branch, limiting institutional safeguards for editorial independence.
As of mid-2025, no significant reforms have been introduced to alter the governance model or diversify appointment powers. Civil society groups continue to call for a depoliticization of leadership appointments in line with broader public service media norms.
Source of funding & budget
LBS is primarily funded through public funds, with a modest share of its revenue derived from commercial sources such as airtime sales and advertising. The station also receives foreign aid, notably from China, which has contributed to equipment upgrades and infrastructure development.
| Year | Gov’t Subsidy (USD) | Total Budget (USD) | % Gov’t Funded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | $893,000 | ~ Not disclosed | ~60% |
| 2022 | $1.21 million | ~ Not disclosed | ~60–65% |
| 2023 | $976,000 | ~$1.4 million | ~70% |
| 2024 | $1 million | $1.44 million | ~69% |
| 2025 (proj.) | $1.15 million (budgeted) | $1.6 million (est.) | ~72% |
In March 2025, the Ministry of Information confirmed that China had supplied an additional grant of $300,000 worth of transmission and broadcasting equipment to LBS. No public tender or parliamentary oversight accompanied this support.
Although government audits of LBS continue intermittently, no publicly available audit report for 2023 or 2024 has been released. Concerns about financial transparency remain, especially regarding donor aid.
Editorial independence
LBS operates with little to no editorial autonomy. Local journalists and analysts consistently describe it as a mouthpiece of the ruling administration. Reporting is clearly favorable to government initiatives and narratives, with minimal space for opposition or dissenting views.
In February 2025, an opposition spokesperson’s scheduled interview on LBS Radio was reportedly canceled last-minute, allegedly under pressure from the Ministry of State. In March 2025, LBS faced public backlash after airing a celebratory segment on President Boakai’s infrastructure tour while ignoring ongoing teacher strikes in several counties.
Internal editorial guidelines, according to leaked documents reviewed by journalists, emphasize “nation-building priorities” and discourage “negative political discourse.”
The 2018 recommendation from the UN Human Rights Council urging Liberia to transform LBS into a genuine public service broadcaster remains unimplemented. There is still no legal statute or independent oversight body to guarantee editorial freedom, and no public consultation mechanisms are in place regarding programming or accountability.
June 2025