MONROVIA – The government brought two messages to the Press Union of Liberia’s (PUL) 62nd anniversary. One was warm congratulations. The other was a reminder that press freedom carries duties. Deputy Information Minister Daniel O. Sando, speaking for Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, praised the union’s six decades of advocacy for journalists. He then urged careful verification, avoidance of hate speech and respect for privacy. His speech offered dialogue and partnership. It did not address the specific cases the union’s president raised on the same occasion. Some of those cases directly involve Minister Piah and his ministry. The distance between the government’s pledges and the union’s grievances will test the partnership Sando promised.
The Government of Liberia has called on the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the wider media to pair press freedom with responsibility, pledging constructive engagement with journalists as the union marked its 62nd founding anniversary. The Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), Daniel O. Sando, delivered the message on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in Monrovia on behalf of Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, who could not attend because of an official mission abroad.
Sando extended congratulations to the union on behalf of the government and people of Liberia, describing the anniversary as a significant milestone in the country’s history. It provides, he said, an opportunity to reflect on the important role the PUL has played in shaping the national conversation and strengthening Liberia’s democracy.
Six Decades of Advocacy
For 62 years, the PUL has stood as a leading voice for press freedom, freedom of expression, access to information, ethical journalism and the safety and welfare of journalists, Sando declared. Through periods of peace, political transition, national crisis and democratic renewal, he noted, the union has remained an important institution in the protection and promotion of Liberia’s democratic values.
He commended journalists and media institutions that continue to uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, balance, independence and accountability. “Your work is essential to the growth and development of our nation,” Sando told the gathering.
Freedom With Responsibility
Sando stressed that the anniversary is a reminder that press freedom must always be accompanied by responsibility. “The power of the media must be exercised with professionalism, respect for human dignity, and commitment to truth,” he stated. Responsible journalism, according to the deputy minister, requires careful verification of information, avoidance of hate speech and incitement, protection of privacy and respect for the rights of all individuals.
In this era of social media, misinformation, disinformation and artificial intelligence (AI), Sando argued, the responsibility of professional journalists has become even greater. The public depends on credible media institutions to distinguish fact from rumor and truth from manipulation, he said, adding that the PUL has an important role to play in promoting media literacy, ethical standards, professional training and public trust.
Government Pledges Partnership
The government recognizes that the development of the media sector requires partnership, Sando observed. “No government, media institution, or professional association can address the challenges facing the industry alone,” he said. He called for joint efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for press freedom, improve access to public information, enhance the safety of journalists and create conditions that allow media organizations to operate sustainably.
MICAT remains committed to constructive engagement with the PUL and the wider media community, Sando assured. He described dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to the rule of law as the foundations of a healthy relationship between government and the media.
The government, he acknowledged, also recognizes that access to information is essential for transparency, accountability and effective public participation. Sando encouraged public officials and government institutions to provide timely, accurate and accessible information to journalists and citizens, and in the same spirit urged the media to continue reporting responsibly and to give fair attention to the concerns and aspirations of all sectors of Liberian society.
Partners in National Development
Sando urged the union to continue supporting the professional development of journalists, promoting ethical standards, advocating for the safety and welfare of media practitioners and creating opportunities for young journalists to enter and excel in the profession. He also encouraged media practitioners to see themselves not only as reporters of events but also as partners in national development, maintaining that accurate reporting, constructive criticism, investigative journalism and public education can contribute meaningfully to peace, national unity, economic growth and democratic consolidation.
The deputy minister paid tribute to the pioneers who established the PUL and to those who, over the years, have contributed to its growth and survival. Their vision, courage and determination, he said, laid the foundation upon which today’s media community continues to build.
Protecting press freedom is a shared responsibility, Sando emphasized. “Government must respect the rights of journalists. Media institutions must uphold professional standards. Journalists must act with integrity. Citizens must reject violence and intimidation against the media,” he declared, adding that the PUL must continue to serve as a credible advocate for both press freedom and media responsibility.
Sando expressed hope that the anniversary would inspire stronger cooperation between the government and the media, encourage greater professionalism and innovation within the industry, strengthen the protection of press freedom and access to information, and reaffirm the media’s vital role in building a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Liberia.
He wished the union continued growth in strength, unity, professionalism and purpose, closing with “Long live the Liberian media” and “Long live the Press Union of Liberia.”
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