Published: April 21, 2025
Monrovia – Local Voices Liberia (LVL), in collaboration with media development partners, has implemented several activities to support the conduct of the Nimba County senatorial by-election slated for April 22.
With funding from the European Union through the Liberia Media Empowerment Project (LMEP) implemented by Internews Europe, LVL partnered with the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP), JournoRage, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and the Liberia Media for Development Initiative (LMDI) to implement these initiatives geared toward strengthening Liberia’s democracy.
Between April 10 – 16, LVL and its partners conducted two intensive fact-checking and investigative journalism workshops in Ganta and Tappita, training over 40 journalists from various media institutions across Nimba County. These six-day workshops equipped journalists with the necessary skills to identify and counter mis/disinformation, ensuring accurate and independent coverage of the upcoming by-election.
Participants acquired skills in fact-checking, investigative journalism, human rights reporting, and gender sensitive reporting, amongst others, important election-related topics/themes
To further support this initiative, 10 journalists will receive story grants to enable them to produce in-depth investigative reports and fact-check stories related to the electoral process.
“Our collective goal has been to support Liberia’s democratic credentials through popular election. And, to me, we have achieved that,” said Samuka Konneh, Internews Country Director.
Recognizing the critical role of an informed electorate and the threat of election disinformation, LVL organized two fact-checking symposiums in Sanniquellie and Ganta, respectively, engaging over 100 participants. These events featured lectures and panel discussions on the spread and impact of election-related disinformation, emphasizing the importance of verification and critical thinking among voters.
Over 100 persons participated in the two symposia — they shared their views on disinformation and learned how to counter false information during elections
Atty. Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, Executive Director of Local Voices Liberia, emphasized the organization’s commitment to combating disinformation and promoting electoral integrity.
“Disinformation is a persistent threat to our democracy,” Atty. Senkpeni said. “Through these initiatives, we aim to empower journalists and citizens alike to recognize and challenge false narratives, ensuring that the electoral process remains transparent and credible.”
Atty. Senkpeni (pictured) facilitated the symposia by sharing basic knowledge on fact-checking and verification
Participants learned how mis/disinformation can undermine the credibility of elections and potentially incite violence, and they were provided with knowledge to discern and verify false information.
One key activity was the collaboration to successfully conduct a senatorial candidate debate. On April 16, LVL partnered with CEMESP and LMDI to host the debate at Nimba University in Sanniquellie City.
The event, attended by four candidates, provided a platform for them to present their policies and engage directly with constituents. The debate was aimed at fostering transparency and allowing voters to make informed decisions at the polls.
A big thank you to UNDP, UN Women and the National Elections Commission and the Liberia National Police for the collaboration; and to the European Union for funding our activities through the Liberia Media Empowerment Project (LMEP) and the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), Konneh said.
“We have played our part. From training and preparing journalists to professionally and sensitively cover the election to enhancing the relationship between journalists and security officers, from conducting public symposia on election misinformation to conducting civic and voter education with young people and then to conducting candidates’ debate, I strongly believe that Nimba is ready for a peaceful and transparent election,” Konneh said.
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