The Liberian Media and the Liberian security agencies signed a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that will serve as a guide during the 2023 general and presidential elections in the country.
Making remarks at the signing ceremony the program on November 28, 2022, the Officer for Democracy and Human Rights at the Swedish Embassy said the elections in 2023 constitute an important step in consolidating the peace that Liberia has enjoyed for nearly 20 years and if Liberians want to continually enjoy peace, the 2023 elections have to be free, fair, credible, transparent and peaceful.
According to the Swedish diplomat, there needs to be cooperation between the various parties and stakeholders which is fundamentally important that everyone does their outmost best to prevent violence and the signing of the SOP is just one step in that direction.
The international envoy said, “In the electoral processes, we all know the security agencies and the media play crucial role and it has been a long journey to come where we are though today.”
she said signing is one of the important steps but not the final step and there is a long way to go to ensure that the electoral process is free from violence indicating, “We need to focus on the actual implementation as well as holding parties accountable to whatever was committed to.”
She pledged that the Swedish Embassy will continue to support the dialogue through the National Elections Commission and Peace Building Office towards a peaceful election next year.
The USAID Director, Jim Wright, said Liberia should be proud of its vibrant democracy at the time when authoritarianism is on the rise in many parts of the world.
According to him, Liberia stands out for its commitment of ensuring that citizens of its country are free to choose its own leaders and hold them accountable stressing, “After and during a long period of brutal civil violence, Liberians have demonstrated their strong desire for continuing peace however neither democracy or peace can be taken for granted.”
He called on Liberians to continue to work together to preserve that which they cherish dearly.
He furthered that the signing of the SOP which will guide the engagement of media practitioners and security officers during the electoral process is a significant milestone.
He added that the goal of promoting peaceful elections is critical to the functioning of a robust and sustainable democracy most importantly the SOP which seems to strengthen women’s roles in electoral violence prevention and peacebuilding.
He reminded Liberians that the signing of the SOP is a critical initiative that coincides with the observance of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and everyone must work together to eliminate the threats of violence against women and girls in the different communities.
“Liberia should focus on ensuring that all eligible voters especially the vulnerable have equal and safe access to the polls and the signing of the SOP with the involvement of the international community, the local civil society organizations, represents the necessary steps to ensuring free, fair and safe elections for all Liberian citizens,” Director Wright stated.
However, he added that there are still much to be done to build trust amongst communities throughout the country.
In her remarks, Lien Bach said having the SOP for media and law enforcement agencies being signed is in good faith and they should get ready for its implementations during the 2023 elections.
The Internews boss said her entity will work with other partners to provide coordinated support for the media and the law enforcement agencies.
She recounted how it was a high-level dialogue that brought together media leaders and security chiefs to discuss collaborations during the electoral period which led to the development and adoption of this SOP as guiding tool to ensure that elections coverage and safety for journalists and media institutions are guaranteed.
Internews will continue to provide sustain support to the media and the NEC by ensuring that the SOP will be rolled out across the country.
Meanwhile, she promised that the USAID Media Activity not only will provide training support to journalists in conflict sensitive reporting throughout the entire electoral circle but will also support media partners in organizing electoral debates especially in the senatorial and lower house debates in the 2023 elections and organize civic education throughout the media especially through Internews media partners and as well follow up on all the priority issues.
“It is important to enhance the physical and digital safety of journalists especially female journalists during the elections so we look forward to continue our collaborations NEDC and partners,” she emphasized.
The Resident Representative on the United Nation Development Program, Steven Rodrigus, said it is a known fact that the relationship between the media and law enforcement institute has never been a simple one as it is not always cordial.
He said Law enforcement agencies fall within the executive arm of Government and responsible for maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property and the media on the other hand often described as the fourth estate is expected to inform the public and holds leaders accountable on matter of national interest.
He reminded that when it comes to elections, both parties must play critical role to ensure that process is orderly peaceful, transparent, though in conducting their duties both parties sometimes overstep boundaries and creating tensions which can sometimes escalate into violence.
“In the past two years, I observed that the media and law enforcement agencies have had a very cordial and mutual relationship and the willingness to seek solutions avoiding tension and conflict is present,” he stated.
He then concluded by saying that Liberia is bless to have a free media and it should not be taken for granted.
The president of the Female Journalists Association Liberia, Siatta Scott Johnson and CEMESP boss, Malcom Joseph, signed on behalf of the Liberian Media while the Deputy Commissioner for Administration at the Liberian Nation Police, Saymor K. Mulbah signed on behalf of the Security Agencies.
The SOP is expected to provide guidance regarding the role, responsibilities and respective mandates of both security personnel and media practitioners on Election Day. It is also expected to facilitate communication between security agents and journalists as well as the understanding of conflict sensitive reporting and right and limit of access to information.
