Media and Elections – Strengthening Media and Electoral Integrity

BRIDGE Modular Workshop in Media and Elections: Strengthening Media and Electoral Integrity in Liberia

Recognizing the critical role of the media in democratic governance and the integrity of elections, the National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia is implementing a series of BRIDGE Modular Workshops on Media and Elections. These workshops are designed to enhance the capacity of both NEC staff and media practitioners in promoting transparent and credible electoral processes.

The just ended workshop in Ganta, held from 9 to 11 June 2026, was part of the broader NEC initiative to provide a strategic platform for participants to review and contribute to the development of the Commission’s Draft Communication Strategy, Policy, and Protocols. The workshop was organized in response to the growing challenges of misinformation, disinformation, digital manipulation, and the public’s limited understanding of Liberia’s electoral processes. These challenges highlight the critical need for strengthened collaboration between the NEC and media institutions to ensure the accurate, timely, and responsible dissemination of electoral information.

The workshop convened a diverse group of participants, including representatives from the NEC, media organizations, journalists, editors, communication specialists, electoral experts, and democratic governance practitioners. Participating institutions included Local Voices Liberia, Internews Liberia, the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding, the Press Union of Liberia, and the Association of Female Journalists in Liberia.

Several significant outcomes emerged from the workshop. Participants gained deeper knowledge of electoral processes, communication standards, and ethical election reporting. The engagement fostered stronger collaboration and trust between NEC officials and media practitioners while generating valuable stakeholder feedback to enhance the Commission’s communication frameworks. Additionally, participants strengthened their capacity to identify and respond to misinformation and digital manipulation, reinforcing a shared commitment to transparency, accountability, peaceful participation, and credible elections.

The media plays a pivotal role in informing citizens, shaping public discourse, facilitating accountability, and encouraging informed participation in democratic processes. By improving communication capacity, enhancing information management, and promoting responsible journalism, the workshop contributes directly to more transparent, inclusive, and credible elections in Liberia. This initiative represents an important step toward strengthening Liberia’s democratic institutions and fostering cooperation between electoral authorities and the media.

The NEC extends its sincere appreciation to the BRIDGE Secretariat for its technical guidance and support in developing and implementing this initiative. The Commission also acknowledges the support of the United Nations Development Programme/Liberia Electoral Support Project (UNDP/LESP), the European Union (EU), participating organizations, and media professionals, whose active engagement was integral to the success of the Ganta workshop.