MONROVIA – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has intensified its advocacy for a more open and accountable governance environment, marking the end of January 2026 with a series of high-level demands for legislative reform and the protection of journalists.
A Renewed Call for Information Rights
Speaking at a High-Level Stakeholder Dialogue on Friday, PUL President Julius Kanubah emphasized that “truth-telling journalism depends on verifiable facts.” He warned that while Liberia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was a milestone in 2010, its current implementation is hindered by weak institutional compliance.
The Union, supported by the European Union and the Liberia Media Empowerment Project (LMEP), is now pushing for a digital platform to track FOI requests, ensuring that public officials cannot easily ignore inquiries from the press.
The “Omission” Controversy
The media community is also reacting to President Joseph Boakai’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA), delivered on January 26. Many observers and media rights groups expressed concern over the total omission of the “Fourth Estate” from the President’s constitutional address.
The PUL and its largest auxiliary, the Reporters Association of Liberia (RAL) led by Willie N. Tokpah, have been vocal in scrutinizing the administration’s “ARREST” agenda. They argue that talk of civil liberties must be backed by tangible safety for reporters and a rejection of what they describe as “rising hostility” from some government officials.
Media-Security Stability
This follows the second regional Media-Security Conference held earlier this month in Buchanan. At that forum, the PUL secured commitments from joint security forces to:
- End the harassment and intimidation of journalists.
- Update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for media-security coordination.
- Recognize professional journalism as a “critical pillar” of Liberia’s democratic development.
As the 2026 legislative session gains momentum, the PUL remains on high alert, demanding that public officials—including House Speaker Richard Koon—retract any statements perceived as “weaponizing state power” against the press.