Liberia: Respect for Rule of Law, Media Rights Highlighted at Media-Security Conference in Buchanan

BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the protection of media rights, urging all stakeholders to foster an environment free from harassment and intimidation of journalists across the country.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh

Speaking at the opening of the second regional Media-Security Conference in Buchanan, PUL President Julius Kanubah emphasized that Liberia’s democratic advancement is inseparable from respect for the rule of law and the media’s adherence to professional standards.

“The democratic development of Liberia hinges on the rule of law, complemented by the professional work of the media,” Mr. Kanubah said.

He underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between the media and the security sector, particularly in safeguarding electoral integrity.

“This media-security conference is a vital step toward strengthening and consolidating electoral integrity and security in Liberia. Electoral integrity depends on professionalism and adherence to best practices by all stakeholders in the electoral process. The media and security sectors are two critical pillars of a credible electoral system,” he added.

The Buchanan gathering is the second of three regional conferences organized under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Elections Commission (NEC), in collaboration with the Joint Security and the Press Union of Liberia.

The conference aims to review and revise the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing collaboration, coordination, and cooperation between the media and security agencies during electoral periods.

Nearly 50 participants drawn from the media, the Liberia National Police, Immigration Services, and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency from Sinoe, River Cess, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Montserrado counties are attending the three-day event.

The conference forms part of the Liberia Electoral Support Project, implemented by UNDP with support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.

Delivering remarks at the opening session, NEC Executive Director Anthony Sengbe and UNDP Program Officer Roosevelt Zayzay both stressed the need for a peaceful and collaborative relationship between the media and security sectors to ensure the credibility and integrity of Liberia’s electoral processes.

Also speaking, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) at the Liberia National Police, Augustine Browne, highlighted the importance of mutual respect between journalists and law enforcement officers in the effective discharge of their respective duties.

Conference sessions focus on key issues, including the NEC’s electoral cycle, election security and law enforcement, the role of the media in elections, coordination mechanisms, and crisis communication. A roundtable discussion reviewing lessons learned from the 2023 elections on media-security engagement is also being facilitated by representatives of UNDP, NEC, PUL, and the Liberia National Police.

The first conference in the series was held in December 2025 in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, bringing together 46 journalists and law enforcement officials from Maryland, Grand Kru, River Gee, and Grand Gedeh counties.

The third and final regional Media-Security Conference, involving participants from Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Bong, Lofa, and Nimba counties, is scheduled for next week. Following the conclusion of the regional meetings, a validation session will be convened to finalize the revised SOPs, further strengthening the framework for media-security collaboration in Liberia’s electoral process.