PUL celebrates Day to end Impunity against Journalists

The Press Union of Liberia has joined other journalists and media organizations across the world to celebrate International Day to end Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

November 2 every year is celebrated by the United Nations to end crimes against Journalists. The day was set aside in Liberia two years ago by UNESCO to be observed by Liberian journalists to fight crimes against journalists.

Speaking Monday, November 2, 2015 the Executive Director for the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP) Malcolm Joseph, said nine out of 10 killings of journalists globally go unsolved and unpunished, leading to the culture of impunity where critical voices are silenced and citizens are denied the information they need about the society they fine themselves.

“We need your help, members of Legislatures to send the message of crime against Journalists.” According to UNESCO, between 2006 and 2014, 600 journalists were killed most of them targeted for exposing corruption and reporting political stories.

Montserrado County Representative, Geraldine Doe-Sherif, who deputized for Senate President Pro-Tempore Amah Jallah, pledged lawmakers’ commitment to working with the Press Union of Liberia to bring crimes against journalists to an end, and encouraged journalists to respect the Journalist’s Creed.

Also speaking, police spokesperson, Sam Collins, said the Liberia National Police remained committed to all journalists and will continue to work with the PUL to end impunity for crimes against journalists.
The president of the President Union of Liberia, K. Abdullai Kamara, said the police hadin the past worked with the PUL in ending impunity.

At the end of the celebration, participants signed a commitment to working together in improving the space for media to practice safely.

By Bridgett Milton -Edited Jonathan Browne