(Nimba County, Ganta, January 13, 2026): The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has emphasised how important it is for the country’s joint security forces and media to have a solid and accountable collaboration. In order to promote professionalism, integrity, and respect for one another in electoral processes, this call to action was made on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the start of the third Media-Security Conference in Ganta, Nimba County.
PUL President Julius Kanubah stressed in a speech during the conference the critical responsibilities that law enforcement and media play in preserving Liberia’s democracy and fostering social harmony. According to Kanubah, “constructive engagement between the media and security sector is essential.” “Together, we can ensure that our behaviour reflects the highest professional standards while upholding freedom of expression, a free press, and the rule of law.”
Organized under the auspices of the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ganta conference involves 47 journalists and law enforcement officers from Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Bong, Lofa, and Nimba Counties.
The meeting’s main goal is to examine and revise the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that govern communication, coordination, and cooperation between security services and the media, especially during election processes.
Augustine Browne, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the West African Police Information System at the Liberia National Police (LNP), spoke on behalf of Joint Security and emphasised the significance of cooperation in promoting peace and stability. According to Browne, “it is imperative that security and the media work together to prevent misunderstandings and foster a peaceful environment.”
UNDP Programme Officer Roosevelt Zayzay also noted the value of the SOP in reducing potential conflicts and misunderstandings between media professionals and security officers throughout the 2023 General and Presidential Elections. ‘A clear framework ensures that all parties understand their roles and responsibilities, minimizing confrontation and building public trust’, Zayzay said.
Anthony Sengbe, the NEC’s executive director, asked all parties involved to continue acting with the utmost professionalism. Sengbe declared, “Our shared commitment will guarantee that Liberia’s electoral process remains peaceful and free from violence.”
The Liberia Peacebuilding Office’s Deputy Executive Director, attorney Christopher Fayiah, emphasised the necessity of incorporating best practices and lessons learnt into the updated SOP. According to Fayiah, “continuous improvement of the framework is vital to address emerging challenges and to strengthen the role of women in peacebuilding initiatives.”
The Ganta conference builds on two preceding regional media–security conferences held in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, and Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, which collectively engaged media and security representatives from several counties across Liberia. The current review process emphasizes roles and responsibilities, dispute-resolution mechanisms, and the enhancement of women’s participation in peace promotion.
Following the conference on Wednesday, 14 January, a comprehensive working session will collate insights from all three regional gatherings. These findings will inform a validation workshop that will lead to the finalization of the revised SOP.
The SOP review and regional consultations are part of the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), managed by UNDP and generously supported by the European Union and the Governments of Sweden and Ireland.
