A group of Liberian journalists under the banner ‘Concerned members and stakeholders of the Press Union of Liberia’ has petitioned Journalist Julius Kanubah to contest for the Union’s presidency in November.
“We are also of the strong view that the Press Union of Liberia urgently needs a new direction of constructively and development to address the manifest gaps of credibility, integrity and dignity confronting the current leadership vis-à-vis our Union,” the petitioners stated.
The group said, “Now and therefore, we the ‘Members & Stakeholders’ of the Press Union of Liberia, having reflected, undertaken extensive constructive consultations and engagements across Liberia, do hereby officially petition Mr. Julius Kanubah, as a ‘consensus candidate’ for President in the ensuing PUL November 2022 elections.”
The aspirant according to the petitioners is highly acclaimed and respected among his peers as one of the brilliant, unwavering, towering, and topnotch journalists of their generation with not just two decades of professional work and education in journalism, media, and communication, but also economics, development and governance.
“We are of the strongest conviction that a Julius Kanubah’s leadership at the PUL is destined for greater heights, through the restoration of an independent stance of the Union, re-establishing public trust in the PUL, bringing back in all disaffected members, innovating ideas through a strategic plan for the realization of a strong, vibrant and developed media sector vis-à-vis the PUL,” the petitioners reiterated.
The two-time award-winning journalist of the Press Union of Liberia accepted his colleagues’ petition to contest the president of the inky fraternity with a vow to restore the lost image of the Union when elected as president.
Julius, who when elected will be replacing Charles Coffey who steps down following his two-term as per the Union’s constitution, was presented the petition to contest ahead of the Press Union of Liberia’s election slated November this year by scores of journalists yesterday in Monrovia.
The Liberian journalist who has worked with several media outlets including Star Radio made the assertion in an attempt to assure journalists that he will be keen on embracing reconciliation amongst aggrieved members including those who have lost taste of being a member of the Union.
At the ceremony held at the William. V.S. Tubman High School, he was keen on reunification of members as well as the restoration of the Union’s frail image and assured that he will be an unbiased advocate for Union citing that as president, the government officials will not beat on journalists and be awarded speaking title at Union’s program.
The PUL’s role is to protect, defend and strengthen the rights of journalists and members of the Union as well as support professionalism and social responsibility for the development of greater democracy and freedom in Liberia; but also, to advocate improved working conditions for all journalists in the country through negotiating with media employers relative to the salaries and other working conditions of journalists and media workers.
Julius is an accomplished media practitioner who accepted to contest and win with a vow to redeem the union outlining that his style of leadership will not be one that will entertain fist-fights with and among other officials of the Union rather, he will be in the vanguard for the rights of Liberian journalists and media workers.
