DoloqueeAhead of Campaign Opening, Joint Security Concludes Meeting With Liberian Media Community
The Joint Security, under the operational watchful eyes of the Inspector General of Police, Hon. Patrick Sudue, has concluded its dialogue with the Media Community through the Press Union of Liberia.
The dialogue which took place yesterday, Tuesday, August 1, 2023, brought together journalists from various media entities aimed at reinforcing the already cordial relationship that persists between the Liberian media community and state security actors.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hon. Marvin Sackor assured members of the media of their safety and protection while discharging their reportorial duties during and after these elections.
He cautioned media practitioners to be cognizant that while they have their responsibilities of reporting news, state security actors also have the responsibilities of protecting lives and properties and maintaining the peace and stability of the state.
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Hon. Sackor further urged members of the media to avoid sensational and inflammatory reports that are tantamount to undermining the peace and stability of the state, especially during these critical times of our electoral process. He noted that if these elections must be held under a peaceful atmosphere, the media has a key role to play which will raise the democratic profile of the country.
During the meeting, members of the media were urged to ensure that they make visible their identities as media persons on every occasion, especially during protests which will help avoid issues of mistaken identities by state security actors. Media practitioners were also encouraged to crosscheck facts before publishing stories.
Speaking on behalf of the Media Community, the Acting President of the Press Union of Liberia, Daniel Nyakonah thanked the Joint Security through the Inspector General of Police for convening such a very important meeting.
Mr. Nyakonah boasted that since the LNP commenced its constructive engagement with the Press Union of Liberia under the auspices of the Inspector General of Police, Hon. Patrick Sudue, there’s a record of zero Police brutality against members of the media in the most recent times.
He also cautioned members of the Joint Security to respect media actors in the discharge of their reportorial duties and avoid roughly engaging them.
The PUL Acting President pledged the media community’s commitment to working in partnership with the Joint security for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 General, Presidential, and Legislative elections.
He also prayed for the effective implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures as adopted with respect to the roles and responsibilities of journalists and state security actors during the conduct of the 2023 elections.
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State security actors represented at the meeting spoke their minds on issues that have caused tension between members of the media community and them while media representatives also present at the meeting expressed their views about pertinent issues responsible for tensions between them and state security actors.
The meeting ended in a very friendly atmosphere with participants from both sides expressing the need for more dialogues between the media and state security actors which will alleviate issues of conflict between state security actors and members of the media.
A resolution, growing out of issues discussed at yesterday’s meeting is being prepared to be signed by the Inspector General of Police and the head of the Press Union of Liberia at a date to be shortly announced.
