PUL seeks repeal of anti-free speech laws

Ahead of World Press Freedom Day celebration on May 3, 2018, the Press Union of Liberia is urging the government here to join the Journalism community in championing repeal of anti-speech legislations in the country.

Addressing a regular press briefing at the Ministry of Information Ministry on Thursday, 26 April PUL President Charles Cuffey stresses that the repeal would serve as the first step to commencing the long sought improvement of the legal operating environment of the media in Liberia.

He notes that in past years, the PUL began the observance by going to other parts of the country, saying it is to spread out the observance for communities to understand the significance of a free press as well as the rationale of working with media in support of community development and democracy.

Mr. Cuffey says the Union will celebrate this year’s World Press Freedom Day in Maryland County under the theme, “Deepening the Strives to fully report Liberia”, while the Global theme for this year’s is “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of law”. He added that the global program will be held in Accra, Ghana.

He explains that during the celebrations, tributes are offered to media professionals, who risked or lost their lives in the line of duty while as well recognizing outstanding and impactful journalism during the last period.

World Press Freedom Day was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1993 as a result of the Seminar on promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press. World Press Freedom Day is celebrated annually on May 3, the date on which the Windhoek Declaration was adopted.

By Ethel A. Tweh-Editing by Jonathan Browne