The Acting Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Abdullah Kamara, has announced plans to partner with the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the media in Liberia.
Speaking at the national observance of World Press Freedom Day on Saturday, May 3, 2025, Kamara emphasized the need for collaboration between regulators and the media to ensure that journalists are empowered with the tools, training, and access needed in a rapidly evolving digital age.
The event held at Monrovia City Hall under the global theme “Sustaining Independent Journalism and Press Freedom,” brought together media practitioners, government officials, civil society actors, and development partners to reflect on the state of press freedom and journalistic integrity in Liberia.
Kamara’s pledge to partner with the PUL marks a significant commitment by the country’s telecom regulator to support media development. He stated that such a partnership would focus on equipping journalists with the technological and digital skills needed to thrive in the modern media environment.
“We believe that empowering journalists with digital tools and access to affordable, reliable internet is not just an investment in the media, it is an investment in Liberia’s democracy,” Kamara said.
He acknowledged the transformative power of technology in journalism, while cautioning that it comes with new challenges to truth, accuracy, and accountability. Kamara urged media professionals to master digital tools responsibly and ethically.
“The future of journalism lies not in resisting technology, but in mastering it critically and responsibly,” he noted.
Kamara also disclosed that Liberia has achieved 100% internet coverage through a temporary Star link license issued last year. Ongoing discussions with providers aim to make these access sustainable and affordable, particularly for journalists and underserved areas.
In addressing broader media challenges, Kamara reaffirmed the LTA’s support for legislative efforts to pass a cybercrime bill, which includes provisions to protect journalists from digital harassment and the misuse of artificial intelligence.
“As regulators, we are committed to creating an environment where journalists can perform their duties freely and safely,” he stated.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah, also speaking at the event, praised the growing collaboration between the government and the media, but called for greater accountability and technological investment within the sector.
“Without a free, independent, and vibrant media, Liberia’s democratic credentials remain incomplete,” Piah said.
He urged media institutions to embrace digital transformation and invest in AI and data-driven tools to improve journalistic output. He also challenged media owners to actively support the PUL beyond political interests and commit to raising professional standards.
In his address, PUL President Julius Kanubah welcomed the LTA’s partnership offer and emphasized the need for unity among journalists, ethical reporting, and collective efforts to defend press freedom. He stressed the challenges facing the sector including economic pressure, political interference, and safety threats but also acknowledged the resilience of media professionals across the country.
Kanubah urged the Boakai administration to address the fallout from the withdrawal of international media funding, particularly from the United States, which has left critical gaps in support for independent journalism.
“A well-supported and independent media is not a luxury—it is vital to our democracy and national development,” he said.
He also announced plans to decentralize the Union’s activities and resume the Annual Journalism Awards in September 2025.
“The Press Union of Liberia will never die,” Kanubah declared. “As long as I am here, it will remain strong, united, and committed to its mission.”
