We are excited to announce that we ended our flagship project “Journalism for Liberty” this year, and it was a resounding success. Thanks to our grant providers and partners, we established The Liberalist, a pro-freedom media outlet, trained 74 journalists, published 150 articles, and reached over 100,000 Nigerians. It was indeed a year like no other for us since we started two years ago.
Our objective has always been to change the climate of ideas in Africa, starting from Nigeria. We aim to eliminate the anti-liberty political and economic ideology that shrinks power from individuals to endow the government, and the ideology that makes free market impracticable.
Ideas are powerful, transformative forces that shape societies. Through the Journalism for Liberty project, we are championing the idea that liberty, individual rights, and free markets are foundational to a thriving and just society.
Our trained journalists published groundbreaking articles that were previously scarce in mainstream media. These articles not only provide critical insights but also challenge prevailing socio-economic narratives in Nigeria. One of them is “Kogi Multiple Tax Policy Hurts Private Schools” by Ishaq Bilal. This piece sheds light on the unintended consequences of Kogi State’s multiple taxation policy on private schools. Before this article, the intricate link between excessive taxation and its impact on education quality and accessibility was largely unexplored in the media. Bilal’s article vividly illustrates how this policy could lead to overcrowded public schools and increased dropout rates, urging a reevaluation of tax policies.
Another one is “How Government Intervention to Reduce Unemployment Traps People in Poverty” by Alfred Ajayi. This narrative highlights the paradox of government policies intended to alleviate poverty actually exacerbating it. Alfred brings to the forefront the broader picture of how government interventions, through taxes and business-repressive policies, have led to business closures and increased unemployment. Prior to this, the media had not adequately connected the dots between well-meaning government policies and their detrimental effects on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
These articles, along with others published under our project, stand as testaments to the power of informed, liberty-focused journalism. They not only raise awareness but also provoke thought and dialogue on critical issues. By bringing these underreported perspectives to light, we are gradually changing the climate of ideas in Nigeria, steering conversations towards individual freedoms and market-driven solutions to socio-economic challenges.
Next year, we will build upon our achievements, launching more initiatives to educate, train, and support aspiring journalists and thinkers who share our vision.
Our commitment remains steadfast: to replace anti-liberty ideologies with a culture that values freedom, responsibility, and innovation. We believe that by changing the climate of ideas, we can influence policy, inspire action, and ultimately transform societies for the better. With the continued support of our partners and the unyielding spirit of our team, we are poised to make even greater strides in promoting a free and prosperous Africa.
As a member of our community, we invite you to read our end of the year report here.
