WE CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY ELECTED leadership of the Press Union of Liberia headed by Charles Coffey, Vice President Octavin Williams, Secretary General Daniel Nyakonah, and Assistant Secretary General Dyrus Zinnah.
THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT ABDULLAI KAMARA has conceded defeat and wishes the new team well. This is a good democratic value, with this, and it’s time for the new team focus on the job at hand.
“WITH THE RESULTS FINALLY OUT FROM THE PRESS UNION of Liberia Congress, we like to congratulate the journalists for their decision. While we lost, we believe the PUL deserves any decision by its membership. Our kindest regards to the winning team. Congratulations: Charles Coffey – President-elect; Octavin Williams – VP; Daniel Nyakonah -SG; and Dyrus Zinnah –ASG,” Kamara said.
THE VOTERS IN GANTA HAVE SPOKEN AND IT must be respected, but the onus is now upon the new team to maintain the integrity and credibility of the union.
THE ELECTIONS DID BRING A LOT OF DIVISION amongst members of the union and reconciliation should be a priority for the new team.
THE PUL NEW TEAM INDEPENDENCE and credibility is an ongoing discussion due to some elected officials’ past records.
ONE OF THE MAJOR VALUES THAT CONTINUE to carry the Union in the midst of difficult times is the high level of credibility exhibited by those who steered the union affairs over the years.
AFTER THE ELECTIONS, THERE HAVE been many outcries on the independence of the newly elected leadership.
THE CHALLENGE IS YOURS [NEW TEAM] TO MUSTER, protect press freedom, uphold professional standards and ethics and speak truth to power, anything short of that, there will be a backlash.
THE PUL CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT for Journalists is to ensure that members adhere to the highest ethical standards, professional competence and good behavior in performing their duties and the new leadership should not shy from these responsibilities.
ARTICLE 7 OF PUL CODE SAYS That journalist should refuse and denounce all attempts of bribery and corruption.
“NO JOURNALIST SHOULD RECEIVE OR expect any benefit from the publication/broadcast or the suppression of any information or commentary.”
“JOURNALIST SHOULD AVOID ALL AFFILIATIONS with any individuals/groups whose company is likely to call his/her credibility to question. The journalist should put himself/herself above partisan and ideological cleavages in order to give greater prominence to norms and professional practices; this should be a guidance tool for the new leadership.”
IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THE PUL NEW team will not fall short of any ethical and professional standard of the union.
THE PRESIDENT-ELECT BY NOW MUST resign from the state broadcaster to maintain the integrity of the Press Union.
IT HAS BEEN RUMORED THAT THE new team will play to gallery of the government; with this, media and the general public will be watching the conduct of the new leadership.
YOUR COMING TO THE UNION IS AT a critical junction in our country history, Liberia for the first time in over three decades will be witnessing a transition of power, and at this point the role of the press cannot be overly emphasize.
IN THE WORLD OVER THE MEDIA PLAYS a major role in any democracy and Liberia can be no exception, so those who sitting at the helm of authority must exhibit virtues that will sustain Liberia emerging democracy.
THE PRESS UNION AFTER THE CIVIL WAR is gradually taking shape, over the years it has made monumental gains ranging from the Freedom of Information law to the table mountain declaration and those efforts should be swept under the carpet.
THE PUBLIC EXPECTS the media to perform with a high sense of responsibility and nothing must stop us from upholding that.