MARGIBI COUNTY – Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah has called on journalists, editors, and talk show hosts to become strategic partners in shaping public understanding and trust around the country’s ongoing tax reforms, warning that the success of these measures depends heavily on how well the media informs the public.
Speaking on Friday, October 4, 2025, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County at the close of a two-day workshop organized to train talk show hosts and editors on taxation and revenue reporting, Jallah described the media as “indispensable partners” in the national revenue mobilization drive. He stressed that accurate and responsible reporting on tax issues is crucial to building public trust and fostering voluntary compliance.
“You are the bridge between the LRA and the public,” Jallah stated. “Through your platforms, whether on the airwaves, in print, or online, you inform, educate, and shape public opinion.” Accurate reporting on the tax system empowers citizens to comply voluntarily, fosters a culture of patriotism, and ensures that every Liberian understands that paying taxes is not a burden, but a contribution to national development.”
The Commissioner General outlined several major reforms currently underway at the LRA, including the transition from Goods and Services Tax (GST) to Value Added Tax (VAT) by 2027, comprehensive property tax reforms through digital mapping, and the expansion of the excise tax regime. He also highlighted the digital transformation of tax administration through systems such as LITAS and ASYCUDA, the introduction of electronic fiscal devices, mobile money payments, and real-time visibility in digital transactions.
Jallah acknowledged that while these reforms are “ambitious,” they are also “necessary” for Liberia’s economic development. He cautioned that misinformation and negative propaganda can undermine these efforts, placing greater responsibility on the media to be “guardians of truth” in the tax discourse.
“In an era where misinformation, disinformation, and negative propaganda can spread quickly, the media becomes not just a messenger, but a guardian of truth,” he emphasized. “Together, we can counter falsehoods with facts, suspicion with clarity, and mistrust with transparency.”
He assured journalists that the LRA is committed to greater openness and information sharing to enable them to report accurately and confidently on tax issues. “This training is part of a longer journey, one we intend to take across the country as resources allow,” Jallah said. “Our vision is that every journalist in Liberia will one day understand how the LRA works and be confident in reporting on tax and revenue matters. And as Commissioner General, I want to make this clear: this is just the beginning.”
The training brought together editors and talk show hosts from various media institutions to deepen their understanding of Liberia’s tax system, at a time when the government is banking on improved domestic revenue collection to fund critical national priorities.
