MONROVIA, Montserrado – The Press Union of Liberia has reacted to a joint statement by representatives of the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS accusing the Liberian media of promoting inciteful messages.

The three organizations issued a statement last week expressing grave concern over the use of inciteful messages in the media, especially social media, which they said had become intensified in recent weeks and days.

In response, the Press Union said it finds it disturbing the organizations called the entire Liberian media as irresponsible, which it also described as regrettable.

In the statement signed by its secretary general, Daniel Nyakonah, the Press Union informed the organizations to have directed their statement to few individuals who use social media and some mainstream media to make inflammatory comments for their own benefit, instead of targeting the Liberian media in general.

“Individuals involved openly state that they are not journalists,” the union said, distancing itself from the accused.

“We wish you had shared your concerns and this statement with us for clarity of fact prior to publishing it and tarnishing the names of many very good and responsible professional Liberian journalists.”

According to the journalist union, it is also concerned at the retribution that the statement might encourage against professional Liberian journalists who take risks to report on issues of national importance. It called on the three international bodies to clearly indicate the spoilers in the media space, noting that the union would join in “condemning hate media messages and urge leaders to order their subjects to end immediately disposition which threatens Liberia’s peace and stability.”

“Now is the time to end anonymity and ambiguity. Naming and shaming is one method to effect change, however, only if it is based in fact and directed at the right people, and not wrongly generalized to a nation entire media sector, full of hard-working, professional journalists, many of whom work for free,” it also noted.

The PUL disclosed that it was surprised to read the “shock statement” because the assistance of organizations have helped the country leap toward accessing greater democracy in which civil liberties are respected by the government and individuals alike. However, it believes that such “blanket expression” against the media undermines the progress jointly achieved in the country.

“The media, mainly in the West and Africa, operate as a business open to all, including politicians,” the release also read.

The union noted that the media situation in Liberia that is referred by the organizations is clearly rooted in the political use of the media institutions by their owners and power brokers, as politicians owning media houses often decide, or at least influence, the editorial opinions, which target rival interests.

The Press Union welcomed the opportunity to jointly discuss with the three organizations on how to approach the challenge of caustic messages in the media. The union noted how collaboration and support of international bodies had cumulated into the passage of the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act of Press Freedom by the Legislature.

The union promised to continue to advocate for the protection of free speech while warning journalists and media workers against unprofessional acts that undermine the state and its people.

Featured photo by Lloyd Massah