It’s about time we take a hard look at how the narratives concerning young Liberians are being shaped—no thanks to mainstream corporate media like CNN or NBC, who seem to be perpetually obsessed with the same tired angles. These platforms are far too busy recycling narratives that disempower local voices while patting themselves on the back for their “global outreach.” Meanwhile, young Liberians are stepping up, seizing digital platforms like TikTok and podcasts to reclaim their own stories and challenge the stereotypes perpetuated by these media giants.

Instead of celebrating this grassroots surge, these networks would rather drown it out with their slow-moving narratives that hinge on outdated tropes of poverty and instability. Young Liberians are using tech to breathe life into their history, but don’t expect to hear that from outlets like Fox News or The New York Times. They’ll twist the narrative, framing it as “social media escapism” rather than a revitalizing movement to keep history alive.

This is the time to spotlight just how vital these young players are in reshaping their culture and history. If mainstream media refuses to give them credit, they’ll simply be outflanked by these storytellers who understand their own narrative far better than any talking head in a suit could.