Media stakeholders on Friday, July 22, 2022 met at D’ Calabash Conference Hall, Congo Town, to build consensus on the adaptation of the National Framework for Safety of Journalists based on UNESCO’s standards.
The event was organized by the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), in collaboration with Ghana-based Media Foundation for West Africa.
In attendance at the event was an array of high profile state actors, including the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Chief of Staff, Prince C Johnson, III; National Security Advisor, Jefferson Karmoh; Deputy Information Minister, Daniel Gayeyou; Grand Bassa County Representative, Vincent Willie; Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Smith Toby; Executive Protection Service (EPS) Director of Communication, Philip Moore; and Police Spokesperson, Moses Carter. All of them expressed delight in the initiative and suggested sustained engagement in building the needed cooperation based on mutual respect towards ending attacks and violations of media rights.
The Press Union of Liberia President, Charles Coffey, and Vice President, Daniel Nyakona, were also present to pledge commitment to the process in terms of educating their constituents on the need to adhere to safety standards while the PUL continues to document instances of attacks and violence meted out against journalists.
The event had an interactive session, facilitated by Frank Sainworla, Public Trust Media Group, who teased out conversations around the issues that have stirred attacks on journalists. Generally, participants conceded that the framework document on safety standards in Liberia is timely, as the general elections get underway in 2023, when the media and the security are often on collision course, which cause for cooperation between the sectors toward building a solid foundation for democracy and rule of law to thrive in Liberia.
Earlier, Executive Director of CEMESP, Malcolm Joseph, provided an insight into the project, noting that the initiative is intended to foster stakeholders’ collaboration in ensuring that the framework, developed with shared roles and responsibilities, is put into use in consonance with the UN Action Plan on Safety of Journalists.
The event was climaxed by the reflection on the content of the draft framework, with emphasis on the individual and institutional roles of the relevant actors from the Executive, the Legislature, the Judiciary, the police and other security details, development partners, among others.
Meanwhile, stakeholders at the event have requested CEMESP to share the draft framework document on the safety of journalists so that they can input into it before it is vetted and adopted.