Monrovia – The National Elections Commission (NEC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with support from the European Union (EU), has launched a series of media and elections workshops aimed at strengthening electoral integrity and enhancing collaboration between election authorities and the media ahead of Liberia’s 2029 General Elections.
The initiative begins with a three-day BRIDGE Workshop on “Media and Elections – Strengthening Media and Electoral Integrity,” scheduled to open in Ganta, Nimba County, on June 9.
BRIDGE, which stands for Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections, is an internationally recognized professional development program focused on electoral processes, institutional strengthening, and leadership development.
According to NEC, the Ganta workshop marks the first phase of a broader engagement intended to review and provide input into the development of the Commission’s Communications Strategy, Policy and Protocols through the BRIDGE methodology.
The training will address key issues affecting election coverage and public information, including media literacy, media mapping, accreditation processes, the legal framework governing media and elections, democracy and press freedom, combating misinformation and disinformation, and promoting responsible election reporting.
Participants will include representatives from the NEC, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Local Voices Liberia, Internews, the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL), the Association of Liberian Community Radio Stations (ALICOR), as well as other media professionals and election experts.
Organizers say the workshop is expected to strengthen cooperation between electoral authorities and journalists while contributing to the development of effective communications policies that enhance transparency, electoral integrity, and public confidence in the democratic process.
“The participation of key stakeholders will enrich discussions and help shape communications protocols that improve the timely and accurate dissemination of election-related information,” NEC said in a statement.
The Commission noted that the initiative is designed to promote informed citizen participation and safeguard public trust in democratic institutions and electoral outcomes.
At the conclusion of the Ganta workshop, NEC’s Communications Section is expected to sign a communiqué with participating journalists, reaffirming a shared commitment to increasing public awareness of electoral activities, including voter rights and civic participation.
A second phase of the NEC-BRIDGE Media and Elections Workshop is scheduled for June 17–19 in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, where another group of media managers, editors, and stakeholders will receive similar training.
NEC said the workshops form part of its long-term preparations for future elections and underscore its commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, expanding stakeholder engagement, and fostering a well-informed electoral environment.
During his recent confirmation hearing before the Liberian Senate, NEC Acting Chairperson Jonathan K. Weedor emphasized the importance of continuous professional development for election staff nationwide, describing capacity-building as essential to improving institutional performance and the effective administration of elections.
Weedor also highlighted infrastructure expansion and modernization as central to his vision for the Commission, including the development of nationwide institutional facilities capable of supporting efficient electoral operations and improved service delivery.
The media engagement initiative is one of several efforts by the NEC and its international partners to reinforce Liberia’s democratic institutions and lay the groundwork for credible, transparent, and inclusive elections in 2029.
