Published: August 27, 2025
GENEVA, Switzerland — Liberian journalist and media development practitioner Wremongar Joe has urged United Nations member states to press Liberia on stronger protections for press freedom, digital rights, and government transparency during the ongoing Universal Periodic Review (UPR) pre-sessions in Geneva.
The UPR pre-sessions, organized by UPR Info, bring together national human rights institutions (NHRIs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and Permanent Missions of UN member states. The meetings provide first-hand information and context ahead of the formal review by the UN’s UPR Working Group, ensuring recommendations reflect realities on the ground.
Speaking on behalf of the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), Joe called for comprehensive internet freedom, data protection, and cybersecurity laws. He also urged the creation of an independent broadcast regulator and the transformation of state radio into a genuine public service broadcaster that serves all Liberians, not just the government of the day.
He raised concerns about limited transparency and accountability in public institutions. Despite Liberia’s Freedom of Information Act being enshrined in law, Joe said officials often deny requests from journalists and citizens seeking access to contracts, concession agreements, and public spending records.
“The Freedom of Information Act exists in theory but is often undermined in practice. Too many ministries and agencies simply refuse to release contracts or provide public data. This must change if Liberia is to build a culture of transparency,” he said.
Joe also pointed to harassment, intimidation, and politically motivated prosecutions of journalists as a continuing challenge.
“Journalists should not be treated as criminals for doing their job,” he said. “Ending harassment and politically motivated prosecutions is critical to ensuring that Liberia remains a democracy where dissenting voices are respected.”
While acknowledging the 2019 Kamara Abdullah Kamara (KAK) Act of Press Freedom, which decriminalized certain speech offenses, he noted that many reporters and activists remain vulnerable to surveillance and intimidation.
“Real change will require more than new laws. It demands political will and a sustained commitment to protect citizens’ rights both online and offline,” he added.
On the sidelines of the pre-sessions, Joe held bilateral meetings with representatives of UN Permanent Missions, including Belgium and Japan, to build support for his recommendations.
He expressed gratitude to the UK-based Small Media Foundation, which sponsored his trip to Geneva, covering travel costs and providing technical assistance. Joe praised the foundation for its longstanding partnership in advancing media freedom and digital rights in Liberia.
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