Assessment of the safety of Liberian journalists from the prism of UNESCO's Safety of Journalists Indicators
This project will use the UNESCO safety indicators to research the safety issues impacting media practice in Liberia, which faces growing local and international concern. There will be a series of Monrovia-based expert interviews and focus group discussions targeting specific professionals with links to these safety issues, organized into four regional clusters.
This project is important given the current situation in Liberia. The last ten years have been characterized by peace and democratic renewal, with a growing number of media houses and improvement in media content as well as the approval of laws and policies that somewhat respect freedom of expression. However, democratic progress has stagnated and there is fear that the situation will regress in the 2014 senatorial elections. Freedom House’ 2013 index placed Liberia in the “partly free” bracket for freedom of expression, while the Freedom of the Press Worldwide 2013 index by Reporters Sans Frontiers categorised that country as having “noticeable problems” that hamper freedom of expression and media rights. Bills meant to further develop freedom of expression in the media are failing to be legislated and journalists who are critical of the government face ongoing threats and violence while carrying out their work. In addition, “highest bidder syndrome” results in media manipulation. Given this dire reality, the production of a report on the safety of journalists in Liberia will be important in promoting peace and democratic development.
UNESCO contracted CEMESP to undertake the assessment, which relied on a mini survey, desk reviews and content analysis. Counselor Onesimus D. Bawon, former Executive Director of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, was recited to collate and analyze data and to edit the report in collaboration with CEMESP Program staff. In addition, consultants were recruited to conduct content analyses of five newspapers and to develop the research instruments.
Furthermore, 15 research assistants were recruited and trained. Questionnaires were developed and pre-tested by a wide range of stakeholders, including: the security sector, policy makers, media houses, the Press Union of Liberia, UN Agencies, Bar Association, University Mass Communications Lecturers, Female Journalist Association, Human Rights Commission, Officials of the Governance Commission and Constitutional Review Committee. A panel of experts was created to review the draft report, comprising: the Press Union of Liberia, security personnel, staff from human rights NGOs and eminent citizens. There are also three sets of focus group discussions with selected individuals in the security sector, UN Agency, Media Regulatory body of the Press Union, Liberia Telecommunications Agency, Publishers Associations, Association of Liberia Community Radios, among others. The project activities resulted in the production of a report on the safety of journalists in Liberia.