Monrovia (UNDP)- The National Elections Commission (NEC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has ended a three-day media workshop in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, for the validation and adoption of the Media Code of Conduct for the 2023 General Elections.
Another group of Journalists from other regions around Liberia will assemble in Ganta, Nimba County this Friday, July 21, 2023 for the second phase of the validation workshop.
When validated, the code of conduct will help prevent or minimize the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, provide equal voices for candidates, and ensure a level playing field during the electoral process.
Speaking at the opening, the Deputy Executive Director of Programs of NEC, Attorney Nathan Garbie, said the gathering is significant for the professional and ethical coverage of the October 10 General Elections. While recognizing the media’s role in informing and educating the citizenry, Attorney Garbie described the Code of Conduct as a cardinal document that will guide media reportage and conduct during the elections.
The President of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL), Siatta Scott Johnson, admonished the participants to develop a revised code that all media institutions and practitioners will abide by during the electoral process.
The Executive Director of the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), Malcolm Joseph, reminded the participants of their professional obligation to work towards strengthening democracy and promoting peaceful and credible elections.
The Political Parties’ Campaign Finance Specialist of UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), Aagon Tingba emphasized that a well-trained and informed media plays a critical role in informing and educating the citizenry on electoral issues in an objective manner.
Journalist Frank Sainworla, Managing Director of Public Trust Media Initiative, urged the participants to pay keen attention to social media during the deliberations. He demanded that social media come under scrutiny due to its growing influence on the population.
In the run-up to the October elections, UNDP/ LESP, with funding from Sweden, Ireland, and the European Union, provides technical and financial support to NEC to validate the media code.
The code was developed by NEC, in collaboration with the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), the Reporters Association of Liberia, and the Female Journalists Association of Liberia, to regulate the conduct of journalists while covering the electoral process.