The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) announces that Mr. Aliou Mamadou Dia, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will deliver the keynote address at the official celebrations of World Press Freedom Day 2026 on Monday, 4 May 2026 in Kakata, Margibi County.
Mr. Dia’s keynote will highlight the global theme: “Shaping a World at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Security, and Development.”
This year’s celebration, convened under the auspices of the PUL, will bring together about 100 journalists, media practitioners, civil society activists, government representatives, and international partners.
The keynote comes at a critical juncture for Liberia, amid concerns about the erosion of democratic norms, assault on freedom of expression, disregard for the rule of law by political actors, and the ongoing borderland dispute between Liberia and Guinea. These developments threaten to derail peace and undermine human rights, security, and development.
Panel Discussion
A high-level panel will explore how press freedom can advance human rights and development in Liberia. Panelists include: Mr. Abraham Massaley, former President of the PUL, Mr. Tom Winston Monboe, former Secretary General of the PUL, Madam Caroline Boah, independent development practitioner, Madam Kadiatu Konteh-Brohiri, Deputy Director General for Administration, Liberia Broadcasting System, and Mr. Elias Shoniyin, Managing Director, Africa Development Management Associates (ADMA)
Day Two Activities
On 5 May, celebrations will continue with a media–security dialogue, featuring an opening address by Colonel Gregory Colman, Inspector General of the Liberia National Police. The dialogue will focus on strengthening collaboration between the media and security institutions, with sessions on crisis communication and partnership.
A conference on journalists’ welfare and safety will also be held, alongside the PUL National Media Awards, recognizing excellence, innovation, and creativity in journalism during January–December 2025.
Press Freedom Assessment
The PUL will present its annual assessment of press freedom in Liberia, reflecting on achievements, challenges, and opportunities over the past twelve months.
The PUL is confident that the 2026 celebrations will inspire renewed commitment among national and international stakeholders to uphold press freedom, independent journalism, and freedom of expression – pillars essential to peace, human rights, and sustainable development.
About the Press Union of Liberia (PUL)
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) is the umbrella organization of journalists and media institutions in Liberia. Since its founding in 1964, the Union has been at the forefront of defending press freedom, promoting professional standards in journalism, and protecting the rights and welfare of journalists.
As a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), representing over 600,000 media professionals worldwide, the PUL works to strengthen independent journalism and uphold constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression.
Through advocacy, training, and institutional development, the Union continues to play a central role in advancing democratic governance, accountability, and national transformation in Liberia.
