The National Elections Commission has conducted regional training for 150 journalists and security personnel covering the senatorial by-election in Nimba County with support from UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) and its partners, including the European Union, Sweden, and Irish Aid.
The journalists participated in a three-day workshop on Investigative Election Reporting and Fact-Checking, organized in collaboration with Internews Liberia Media Empowerment Project and a consortium of local civil society organizations in Ganta from April 10 to 12 and Tappita from April 14 to 15, 2025.
The goal of the training is to enhance the professional skills of media practitioners in delivering accurate, conflict-sensitive, and gender-inclusive election reporting as the NEC prepares for the Senatorial by-election in Nimba County.
It is to ensure that electorates have access to accurate and impartial information that aids them in participating in the elections and making informed decisions, free of misinformation, disinformation, and biased narratives.
The modules and presentations focused on identifying and reporting gender bias, promoting fair and balanced coverage of all candidates, and countering misinformation that disproportionately affects women and marginalized groups.
The training also emphasized inclusive reporting that reflects diverse perspectives of voters and promotes equitable election coverage.
During the opening session, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Davidetta Brown-Lansanah, urged participants to acquire new skills in fact-checking to combat the misinformation and disinformation challenges that manifest widely in various facets of Liberian society.
She stressed that misinformation and disinformation are significant issues during elections that may lead to the distortion of facts and even incite violence. Brown-Lansanah stated that the NEC has been a target of misinformation, urging journalists to ensure that the news they disseminate is accurate and free of falsehood.
“Journalists have a solemn responsibility to be ethical and report nothing but the truth,” the NEC Chairperson noted.
Marie-Paule Neuville, Program Officer for the Governance Sector at the European Union in Liberia, highlighted the crucial role of the media in upholding democracy and ensuring that public officials are held accountable.
She stated that the media is one of the pillars of democracy, emphasizing that “utilizing freedom of expression and the right to vote is a responsibility that citizens must embrace.”
Neuville also noted that civil society plays an active role in Liberia and is a vital component of democracy, adding that citizens must embrace their responsibility of using their freedom of expression and right to vote.
She committed the EU to supporting and engaging civil society and political parties to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
“Promoting inclusive democratic activities in Liberia is a key aspect of the EU’s cooperation agreement with the government. Strengthening democracy is not solely the responsibility of the NEC but a collective duty among all citizens,” Neufvelle intimated.
She said that although the commitment of political parties and politicians is essential for ensuring peaceful elections, the media and citizens also have important roles to play in delivering democracy.
“It is the media’s responsibility to hold public officials and leaders accountable, reinforcing its status as a pillar of democracy. Fact-checking is critical, and the media must work to foster unity among citizens. It serves as a facilitator, helping to build connections and promoting an understanding of the value of democracy.
The media provides a platform for guiding citizens toward peaceful democratic practices and elections, making it an integral part of the architecture of information and accountability,” she emphasized.
On his part, Roosevelt Zayzay, Program Officer of UNDP LESP, reiterated that the media plays a crucial role in disseminating credible information about the electoral process, enabling citizens to make informed decisions.
“In the absence of a responsible media, free and fair elections cannot occur, and irresponsible reporting could fuel tension and crisis within the country, which is why this training is essential,” Zayzay noted.
Meanwhile, Journalists and Security personnel have reaffirmed their commitment to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Security Agencies and Media in Elections at a media-security conference in Ganta, Nimba County, to enhance collaboration and coordination during the by-election in Nimba County.
The conference was organized by the National Elections Commission, with support from UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project and its partners in collaboration with the Internews Liberia Media Empowerment Project, and a consortium of local civil society organizations.
The event was part of a series of Civic and Voter Education (CVE) activities in preparation for the Senatorial by-election scheduled for 22 April in Nimba County.
