And Anti-Corruption Reporting To Institutionalize The Fight Against Corruption”
Raises Concerns Regarding Corruption Initiatives at LACC–UNDP Training for Journalists
PHOTO: PUL President, Julius Kanubah speaking at the investigative Journalism training in Ganta, Nimba County
President Union of Liberia (PUL) President, Julius Kanubah is calling for “targeted and sustained investments in investigative journalism and anti-corruption reporting to institutionalize the fight against corruption, particularly within a media landscape often influenced by political and economic interests.”
Mr. Kanubah raised significant concerns about the ongoing fight against corruption in Liberia, especially in light of recent acknowledgments by the government regarding the pervasive nature of corruption within the country.
In special remarks given during the opening session of a two-day training workshop in Ganta, Nimba County on investigative Journalism and anti-corruption efforts, the PUL President emphasized the need for a genuine and collaborative partnership among government entities, civil society organizations, and international partners to address corruption effectively.
The workshop was organized by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well as funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund at the weekend.
PUL has suggested that the frequent use of strong descriptors—such as “public enemy number one,” “vampire,” “cancer,” and “king kong”—indicates that efforts to combat corruption have not produced the expected outcomes for the public.
The August 7-8, 2025 training is part of a larger project aimed at “Empowering Citizens and Communities to Foster Social Accountability and Transparency in Governance and Public Service Delivery.”
The PUL President commended the LACC and UNDP for their commitment to capacity building in journalism.
However, he criticized the tendency of some local and international organizations, including government institutions, to unilaterally organize and conduct journalists’ training without engaging the PUL.
The PUL President highlighted the Union’s vital role in shaping the design, implementation, and evaluation of such initiatives, stating, “While the good intentions of capacity building are commendable, it is crucial to recognize that outcomes may not meet expectations if relevant stakeholders are not fully included.”
Moreover, the PUL President called for targeted and sustained investments in investigative journalism and anti-corruption reporting to institutionalize the fight against corruption, particularly within a media landscape often influenced by political and economic interests.
The training program is attended by 30 Liberian journalists, including 12 women, representing diverse regions across the country.
Facilitators were drawn from the LACC, various media organizations, and the United Nations, with centering on overview of the LACC’s mandate, asset declaration processes, an understanding of corruption, development reporting, investigative journalism techniques, documentary evidence examination, digital forensics, data analytics, the use of artificial intelligence in investigative journalism, and ethical reporting on social media, said a PUL press releas.