Ganta, Nimba County — The National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC-Liberia) and media practitioners from across the country have renewed their commitment to deepen collaboration aimed at promoting voter education, combating misinformation and strengthening democratic participation through improved public communication.
By D Franklin Doloquee / Nimba County
The commitment is contained in a Joint Communiqué signed at the close of a three-day Media–Elections Workshop held in Ganta City, Nimba County from 9–11 June 2026.
The workshop was supported by the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) and funded by the European Union(EU) in Liberia.
Held at the Jackie Conference Center in the bustling commercial hub of Ganta, Nimba County, the workshop brought together roughly 35 participants, including NEC Election Magistrates, communications officers and journalists representing print, radio, television and online media.
Over three days of plenary sessions, panels and practical exercises, participants reviewed and provided input into the Commission’s Draft Communications Strategy, Policy and Protocols.
In a communiqué read by journalist both the NEC and media representatives acknowledged the critical role of responsible journalism and timely public communication in supporting credible electoral processes.
They emphasized that accurate, accessible information is essential for voters to make informed decisions and for maintaining public trust in democratic institutions.
Participants recognized the longstanding partnership between the Commission and the media and agreed that stronger collaboration is necessary to improve public understanding of elections and the NEC’s wider programs.
The communiqué outlines several key resolutions:
Strengthen cooperation to ensure the timely, accurate and accessible dissemination of information about electoral processes and civic engagement initiatives.
Increase media coverage of NEC programs, activities, policies, voter education campaigns and electoral reform initiatives to raise public awareness and encourage citizen participation.
Enhance the NEC’s regular provision of updates, data and resource materials to media houses to support accurate, balanced and professional reporting.
Jointly combat misinformation, disinformation and fake news through coordinated monitoring, rapid response mechanisms and public fact-checking initiatives.
Speakers at the closing session framed these commitments as practical steps to protect the integrity of upcoming polls and to nurture a more informed electorate.
National Election commission (NEC) Executive Director Anthony Sengbe, in his remarks, welcomed the media’s pledge to deepen coverage of electoral activities and said the Commission would use the strengthened partnership to broaden public engagement.
He noted that clearer, faster communication would help reduce confusion and speculation during congested phases of the electoral calendar.
James Kpargoi, Communications Specialist for the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project, reiterated LESP’s continued technical and logistical support for the NEC’s communication efforts.
Malcolm Joseph, Executive Director of the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP), described the initiative as a significant step toward enhancing public communication and strengthening relations between the NEC and media practitioners.
Practical sessions at the workshop included short simulations of press briefings, hands-on training in message-framing for voter education and a module on identifying and countering misinformation online and on traditional platforms.
Participants practiced drafting quick, verifiable statements and learned procedures for requesting official NEC data steps designed to accelerate accurate reporting during the run-up to elections.
At the conclusion of the workshop, certificates were presented to participants by NEC officials and partners, recognizing their participation and readiness to apply the new protocols in their work.
The Ganta workshop forms part of the NEC’s broader effort supported by development partners to strengthen media engagement, improve public communication and enhance the transparency and credibility of Liberia’s electoral processes.
Organizers said follow-up activities will include regional briefings, distribution of communication toolkits to media houses, and a planned media-NEC liaison network to fast-track information sharing.
The Government of Liberia(GoL), through the Ministry of Labour, will on today, Friday, June 12 join other countries around the world to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL).
ILO Member States on June 12 every year commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour as a commitment towards the fight Against child labour.
According to a Labour Ministry Press Release, the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour (June 12) focuses on strengthening global action to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 8.7, aiming to eliminate child labour in all its forms.
It is heavily aligned with accelerating progress following the Durban Call to Action, with particular emphasis on addressing child labour in agriculture and supporting the outcomes of the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour.
In addition. this observance is in adherence to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions No. 138 (Minimum Age Convention, 1973) and No. 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999), which promote the elimination of child labour and call for children’s protection from hazardous and exploitative work.
To commemorate the day, the Ministry in collaboration with key child protection stakeholders will implement community outreach meetings in Montserrado County to sensitize the general public on the dangers of child labour .
The Global Theme for this year’s WDACL is “Let’s Act on our Commitments: End Child Labour”., while the National Theme is “Coordinating Efforts and Upholding Commitments to end Child Labour in Liberia”
