The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has officially launched a policy regulation, effectively commencing the registration, professional accreditation, and accountability of journalists, media and communication practitioners, as well as media institutions in Liberia.
The launch of the policy regulation is the first in the most recent history of the PUL and addresses one of the key triggers and perpetuation of conflict in the union regarding the granting of full membership rights to ineligible journalists and non-journalists, as well as the non-accountability of practicing journalists.
At a press conference on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, PUL President Julius Kanubah revealed that the release of the policy regulation was an important step to guide and advance journalistic integrity, media accountability, the rights of journalists, freedom of information, freedom of the media, and independent journalism.
Developed in partnership with the PUL Membership Committee with backstopping from media leaders and stakeholders, the policy regulation will serve to strengthen several core practices considering the official resumption of the registration and professional accreditation of journalists, media institutions and personnel, starting this Wednesday, March 19, 2018.
The Membership Committee, under the leadership of Winnie Saywah Jimmy, Managing Publisher and Editor of the Inquirer Newspaper, has meanwhile pledged a robust and rigorous vetting of all applications for PUL membership, asserting that the Committee will not compromise the enforcement of the Constitution and By-laws of the Union, and the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Liberian journalists and members of the PUL.
As one of the oldest civic and pro-social-democracy groups in Liberia, the PUL membership is greatly respected because it comes with national and international recognitions and several benefits, inclusive of the conferral of a bundle of rights.
On the other hand, any journalist, media or communication personnel or institution failing to honor the annual membership registration and monthly dues payment of the PUL is designated as not in good moral and financial standing, thereby rendering such a person or institution as delinquent.
The PUL new policy regulation is consistent with Article 15 of the Liberian Constitution and Articles 2, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, and 19 of the PUL Constitution as well as all relevant sections of the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Liberian journalists and members of the PUL.