BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County (January 5, 2026) — The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has reaffirmed its firm commitment to the rule of law and the protection of journalists, warning that Liberia’s democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of intimidation and harassment of the media.
Speaking at the opening of the second Regional Media-Security Conference in Buchanan, PUL President Julius Kanubah stressed that respect for the law and professional journalism must go hand in hand if the country is to safeguard its democratic gains.
“The democratic development of Liberia hinges on the rule of law, complemented by the professional work of the media,” Kanubah said, noting that journalists must be able to operate freely and safely in order to hold institutions accountable and inform the public truthfully.
Kanubah further underscored the critical role of cooperation between the media and the security sector, especially during elections.
He described the conference as a major step toward protecting electoral integrity, adding that both sectors are “two critical pillars of a credible electoral system.”
The three-day Buchanan conference is the second of three regional meetings organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Elections Commission (NEC), in collaboration with the Joint Security and the Press Union of Liberia.
Its main goal is to review and revise the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that guides how security agencies and the media work together during election periods.
Nearly 50 participants from the media, Liberia National Police, Immigration Service, and Drug Enforcement Agency across six counties — Sinoe, Rivercess, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Montserrado — are taking part. The initiative is supported under the Liberia Electoral Support Project, with funding from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.
NEC Executive Director Anthony Sengbe and UNDP Program Officer Roosevelt Zayzay both echoed the call for peaceful and cooperative engagement between journalists and security officers, saying such collaboration is essential for credible and transparent elections.
Deputy Police Commissioner Augustine Browne also emphasized mutual respect between law enforcement and the media as key to carrying out their respective duties effectively.
With Liberia heading toward future electoral cycles, the Buchanan conference sends a strong message: protecting press freedom and upholding the rule of law are not optional — they are fundamental to democracy.
