A two-day Law Enforcement and Media Conference opened in Zwedru on December 18, 2025, bringing together journalists, security personnel, and electoral officials to review and update the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Media and Security Agencies in Elections.

The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration, reduce tensions, and safeguard electoral integrity in Liberia.

The two-day engagement is convened under the Liberia Electoral Support Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the National Elections Commission (NEC).

Participants include representatives from the Liberia National Police (LNP), the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), NEC officials, and journalists from Montserrado, Grand Gedeh, Maryland, Grand Kru, and River Gee. 

The project is supported by the European Union, Sweden, and Irish Aid.

Opening the conference, Augustine K. Browne, Head of the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS) at the LNP, emphasized that mutual respect and collaboration are essential for national progress.

“We are all Liberians working to move this country forward, even if we do so in different ways. This meeting is about collaboration, ensuring that my work supports and does not interfere with yours, and that together we respect each other’s roles for the good of Liberia,” Browne said.

He highlighted the media’s critical role as a bridge between citizens and government, stressing that credible reporting helps authorities respond to public concerns, while journalists must respect lawful security procedures during sensitive operations.

Julius Kanubah, President of the PUL, described the media and security sectors as “two pillars of the electoral system,” noting that elections are continuous processes requiring professionalism and coordination.

“Between 2005 and 2022, we recorded instances of tension between the media and security personnel, particularly during elections. These SOPs exist to minimize such tensions and guide how both institutions can work together to protect the polls and inform the public,” Kanubah stated.

He commended UNDP and NEC for convening the review process, emphasizing that the exercise builds on lessons learned from the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections.

Representing the NEC, James Wallace, Director of Training and Procedures, reaffirmed that challenges between media and security are largely rooted in perception and misunderstanding.

“The SOP was developed precisely to define boundaries, clarify roles, and foster trust. It sets the rules of engagement so that both the media and security can operate professionally within the law, especially in the sensitive environment of electioneering,” Wallace said.

The conference also addresses emerging electoral issues such as boundary delimitation, electoral law reform, and crisis communication, with NEC technical experts engaging journalists to strengthen accurate and responsible reporting on complex electoral processes.

The SOP review is part of a broader national effort to prevent electoral violence, counter misinformation and disinformation, protect journalists, and enhance public access to accurate electoral information ahead of future elections.

Regional consultations in Zwedru, Ganta, and Buchanan will feed into a consolidated revision of the SOP, followed by national validation and formal endorsement by key stakeholders.

The Liberia Electoral Support Project promotes inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance. It is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, and the NEC, with support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.