Monrovia, Dec. 18 -- Liberian rubber exporters and smallholder farmers have rejected recent media narratives, accusing some outlets of bias that they say endangers the nation's fragile rubber economy. In a statement titled "Rebuttal: Media Bias, Foreign Interests, and the Real Threat to Liberia's Rubber Economy," local operators claimed that certain media organizations have become "hired mouthpieces" for foreign rubber giants seeking to undermine domestic players and consolidate control over the industry

The dispute arose following a media report headlined 'Liberia Economy Severe Threat,' which critics argued presented a one-sided portrayal of struggling Liberian-owned exporters and smallholder farmers.

Charles Bamakpeh, a rubber farmer...