Published: May 5, 2026
Kakata, Margibi — The United Nations Development Programme in Liberia declared Sunday that journalist safety is “non-negotiable,” urging the government, security institutions, and citizens to defend press freedom while demanding that media organizations reject irresponsible reporting.
UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia, speaking at the 2026 World Press Freedom Day celebration in Kakata City, said a free media remains the foundation of democratic governance but warned that Liberian journalists continue to face intimidation, financial pressure, and a rising tide of online disinformation.
“No reporter should ever be intimidated, assaulted, or silenced for doing their job,” Dia told an audience of government officials, diplomats, civil society leaders, and journalists. “Protecting journalists is a shared responsibility across society.”
The event was held under the global theme “Shaping a World at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Security, and Development.”
Dia commended the Liberian press for resilience in the face of persistent obstacles but stressed that freedom carries an obligation of accuracy. “While we rightly champion press freedom, we must also recognize that freedom comes with responsibility,” he said. “Journalists best serve society when they uphold the highest standards of truth, balance, professionalism, and fact-checking.”
He cautioned that reckless reporting poses a particular danger in a fragile political environment. “In a society where polarization and misinformation can affect the fragility of the peace, the need for responsible journalism cannot be overemphasized,” Dia said. “Journalists are not merely observers of society — they are guardians of the public interest.”
Dia detailed UNDP’s partnership with Liberia’s media sector, citing electoral transparency work under the Liberia Electoral Support Project, investigative journalism support in collaboration with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and civil society groups, and a December 2025 conference in Zwedru that updated safety protocols between journalists and security personnel ahead of future elections.
“Corruption thrives in secrecy but fails in the face of public scrutiny,” he said.
The agency has also backed digital literacy and fact-checking programs through Internews, iVerify, and other partners to counter hate speech and online misinformation.
Dia called on the government to strengthen legal protections for journalists and guarantee access to public information, and urged security forces to safeguard reporters not only during elections but at all times.
“Let us honour the contributions of Liberia’s journalists, acknowledge their sacrifices, and recommit to building a society where truth is protected and voices are heard,” he said.
World Press Freedom Day is observed globally on May 3 each year.
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