The President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Julius Kanubah, has issued a strong appeal to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to address what he described as growing threats to press freedom, the viability of independent journalism, and adherence to the rule of law in Liberia.
Speaking on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the first-ever Presidential Media Dinner hosted by the Boakai administration at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Kanubah welcomed the president’s engagement with the media but emphasized the urgent need for government action to protect and support the country’s struggling media sector.
Kanubah warned that despite gains in free speech and media openness, the Liberian press remains severely under-resourced and under pressure. He said dwindling advertising revenues, largely due to reduced government spending and outstanding debts to media institutions, have crippled operations and diminished the quality of journalism across the country.
He also pointed to the departure of key international partners such as USAID, which had long supported media development programs in Liberia. The loss of such support, Kanubah noted, has created a vacuum in training and capacity-building efforts. He urged the Boakai administration to take proactive steps in filling that gap to ensure the sustainability of a free and professional press.
Kanubah expressed concern over reports that some county superintendents are interfering with community radio stations, which serve as critical sources of information for rural populations. He called on President Boakai to ensure that local broadcasters operate without political interference or intimidation.
The PUL president further called for the transformation of the state-run Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) into a genuine public service broadcaster that serves the interests of all Liberians. He said the institution should reflect national diversity, accountability, and public trust rather than acting as a government mouthpiece.
Reaffirming the PUL’s commitment to restoring journalistic integrity and public confidence in the media, Kanubah said his leadership is ready to work with the Boakai administration in strengthening democratic governance and transparency through responsible journalism.
He ended with a strong reminder that respect for the rule of law must remain a central pillar of the Boakai government’s agenda, noting that without legal accountability, Liberia risks undermining its peace and development gains. “Let’s use the rule of law to fight corruption,” he said. “Let’s respect it in all we do.”
Echoing President Boakai’s own calls for national renewal, Kanubah closed his remarks with a direct appeal: “Think the media. Love the media. Build the media.”
