PUL Relaunches National Media Council to Enforce Ethics -New Body to Serve as Accountability Watchdog

MONROVIA – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) will on Wednesday, January 28, formally relaunch the National Media Council (NMC), marking a renewed effort to strengthen ethical standards, accountability, and public trust within Liberia’s media sector.

The National Media Council is a multi-stakeholder body mandated to enforce the Code of Ethics and Conduct for journalists and media institutions. Its reactivation signals a renewed commitment by the Press Union to professional self-regulation at a time when the media landscape is increasingly shaped by digital platforms and citizen journalism.

According to the PUL, the reconstituted Council will serve as an independent forum for adjudicating complaints related to the conduct and work of journalists and media institutions. Once seated, the Council will have the authority to sanction individuals or institutions found in violation of established professional standards, consistent with the PUL Code of Ethics and Conduct.

The nine-member Council brings together representatives from the journalism and media community, civil society organizations, government institutions, academia, women’s groups, and religious bodies—an arrangement the PUL says is designed to ensure inclusiveness, credibility, and public confidence.

The National Media Council evolves from the former Media Complaints Committee and the Grievance and Ethics Committee, consolidating their functions into a single oversight mechanism intended to improve efficiency and strengthen enforcement of ethical norms.

In a statement announcing the relaunch, the PUL expressed confidence that the participation of institutions such as the Office of the Ombudsman, the Liberia Council of Churches, the National Muslim Council of Liberia, the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, and the Women NGO Secretariat will enhance trust in the Council and reinforce ethical compliance across the media sector.

“The reactivation of the National Media Council reflects our commitment to professionalism, accountability, and press freedom,” the PUL said, adding that ethical journalism remains central to democratic governance and public discourse.

The relaunch event will also feature a panel discussion on media self-regulation in the era of digital media and citizen journalism, focusing on emerging challenges, opportunities, and the future of responsible reporting in Liberia.

The statement announcing the relaunch was signed by PUL President Julius Kanubah.