By: Sampat JMB Kpakimah
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have initiated discussions aimed at strengthening collaboration to support journalism and media development in Liberia. Speaking during the meeting, PUL President Julius Kanubah underscored the importance of a free, independent, and professional media in advancing democratic governance and national development.
He emphasized that sustaining freedom of expression requires continuous investment in institutional capacity, ethical journalism, and the safety and welfare of journalists. Kanubah noted that in today’s evolving information landscape, strengthening credible journalism is critical to building public trust, countering misinformation, and ensuring citizens have access to accurate and balanced information.
He added that empowering the media to effectively perform its watchdog role is key to promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive public discourse. The PUL President further highlighted the importance of partnerships with development actors such as UNDP to advance shared priorities, including capacity building for journalists, strengthening media institutions, promoting ethical standards, and expanding opportunities for emerging journalists across the country.
The engagement, held on April 2, 2026, at the UN Headquarters in Monrovia, brought together officials from both institutions to identify areas of mutual interest and strategic partnership. In response, UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia welcomed the prospects for collaboration, noting that the organization remains committed to partnerships that support capacity development and create opportunities for journalists and media institutions in Liberia.
Dia emphasized the critical role of the media in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through responsible and impactful reporting, adding that a strong media sector contributes significantly to transparency, accountability, and informed public discourse. UNDP operates in Liberia under the United Nations “One UN” framework, implementing the United Nations Cooperation Framework a five-year strategic plan focused on human capital development, good governance and the rule of law, as well as economic development and sustainability.
Founded in 1964, the PUL serves as the umbrella body for journalists and media institutions in Liberia and has played a leading role in promoting press freedom, protecting journalists’ rights, and strengthening media capacity nationwide.
