Over the years, UNDP has supported the media through many of its programme interventions, including capacity-building and trainings on elections, Energy and Environment, Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Communications for Development to communicate development results. Such initiatives have contributed immensely in strengthening relationships, networks and sustainable frameworks that drive a national agenda for the peace and stability of Liberia.

 The overall objective of UNDP’s work in Liberia is to: (i) bring government closer to its citizens, including through fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance; and (ii) create opportunities for all Liberians to contribute to the country’s sustainable development, through promoting green and inclusive growth.

 UNDP, through its 2020-2024 Country Programme, will prioritize initiatives that (i) reduce inequality; (ii) promote good governance and the Rule of Law (link to Accountability, Ease of Doing Business, and promoting Entrepreneurship, as well as Private Sector growth), (iii) accelerate decentralization (link to expanding access to basic services, and community development); and (iv) foster sustainable development, including protecting the environment and supporting investments in renewable energy. UNDP is also supporting livelihood initiatives that support poverty reduction and building a pool of entrepreneurs that spurs growth and development. As parts of efforts to tap into ecotourism, the UNDP is working with the Ministry of Information and other key stakeholders to explore the ecotourism potential of the country with a view of forming a nexus between the environment and growth potential for Liberia. When fully operationalized, this programme is expected to open up new windows of opportunities for revenue and income generation for Liberia and Liberians.

Role of the media in Liberia’s development

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize that there can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development. The media plays a key role in promoting peace and sustaining a peaceful society. UNDP is therefore committed to working with the media in Liberia to support the country’s sustainable development.

It is important to stress that we share similar goals of promoting peace-building initiatives and accountability as seen our work including in governance, Inclusive growth, and climate change, while working closely with the government and civil society. UNDP remains a strong partner in these endeavors and is committed to strengthening its partnership with the media to achieve development results and add value to sustainable development. This engagement presents an opportunity to brainstorm on workable and practical ways of improving this partnership.

The media in Liberia makes tremendous contributions to an open society in fostering peace, sustainable development, stability, accountable leadership as well as economic empowerment.   Public information is increasingly recognized as contributing to individuals’ awareness, knowledge, and ultimately perceptions and attitudes about events and programs happening around them, including efforts at building peace and resolving conflicts. Functional independence of the press requires a combination of legal and economic safeguards that are lacking currently, but with the role of the media, the population is gradually experiencing the growth and respect for free speech and fundamental rights.

We acknowledge the challenges faced by the media including-self-censorship, harassment, intimidation as well as threats on their lives. UNDP is aware of some of these cases and instances highlighted by the national and international media and applauds the courageous spirit media personnel continues to exercise despite these challenges to ensure that the population is well informed. This also means that you have a duty and obligation as per your code of ethics, to ensure that the information you share with the general public is clear, accurate and balanced.

 End users who are the direct beneficiaries of information conveyed through the media must be able to trust what is put out into the public sphere. We also urge the media to exercise professionalism at all times in the discharge of its duties-avoiding misinformation and disinformation, but more importantly helping the public to make informed decisions and prevent chaos.

We also take note of the economic challenges you face in generating income to sustain yourselves and institutions especially the print and electronic media. UNDP understands the acute economic situation faced by many media outlets to stay afloat financially and economically. Most of you rely on adverts that may not be as regular as expected and insufficient to attract the quality of human resource capacity as needed. We urge you not to lose hope, neither circumvent your professionalism as watchdogs of the society for financial gains. You must be among the heroes/heroines that Liberians and the world at large can celebrate as you make the sacrifices for peace, accountability and stability as seen in the work that you do.

Despite these challenges, we appreciate the media for the critical role it continues to play in sustaining peace and promoting development. Without the media, the world would be ignorant. We cannot emphasize enough that you are the glue that holds democracy, peace and social cohesion together.

We like to remind you  that, the workthat you do can either breaks or build a society. This is because access and consumption of information can either stabilize or destabilize the nation.

UNDP recognizes the daunting tasks of the media to promote good governance accountability and responsible leaderships as well as the leadership role of the Press Union to keep media institutions and individuals in check as per the Union’s code of ethics. UNDP welcomes and encourages the independence of journalists and media from political and corporate influence, conflicts of interests and every other kind of pressure. It seeks to reinforce international norms and national instruments that protect Press freedom and independence.

Thank You!