By: Julius Konton
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has issued a strong appeal to government institutions to reject confrontational public relations tactics and instead embrace transparency, professionalism, and constructive engagement with the media as pillars of democratic governance.
Speaking Wednesday during the official launch of the Open Media House at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) in Monrovia, PUL President Julius Kanubah cautioned public institutions against becoming what he described as “attack dogs” in the country’s information landscape, emphasizing that government agencies exist to serve citizens through openness rather than political confrontation.
Kanubah praised NaFAA for introducing the Open Media House initiative, describing it as a progressive platform designed to provide journalists, stakeholders, development partners, and the public with timely and comprehensive information on the institution’s policies, programs, achievements, challenges, and ongoing reforms.
“This initiative by NaFAA shows that, rather than being an attack dog, NaFAA like some other institutions of government is proactive and responsible in providing relevant information about its work, achievements, and challenges.
Because, if President JNB is noted, for example, for advancing the narrative of not paying attention to ‘barking dogs,’ it is important for actors in government not to transform their institutions into attack dogs,” Kanubah declared.
The PUL President stressed that transparent communication remains one of the strongest foundations of democratic governance. He noted that governments that provide citizens with accurate, timely, and accessible information are more likely to build public confidence, strengthen institutional credibility, and reduce misinformation.
According to international governance indicators published by organizations such as the World Bank and Transparency International, countries that prioritize government transparency, freedom of information, and media engagement generally record higher levels of public trust, stronger accountability systems, and improved investment confidence.
Kanubah said NaFAA’s initiative reflects these global best practices by creating a structured mechanism through which journalists can access verified information and engage public officials on issues affecting Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Media’s Constitutional Responsibility
Reaffirming the constitutional role of the media, Kanubah reminded journalists that their responsibility extends beyond reporting official statements.
“As the media is the watchdog of society, journalists and media institutions must continue to hold to account actors and institutions exercising public authority, including NaFAA,” he emphasized.
He urged journalists covering Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture industry to produce balanced, evidence-based, and factual reporting that adheres to the highest ethical standards of journalism, including fairness, accuracy, impartiality, independence, and responsibility.
Liberia possesses more than 570 kilometers of Atlantic coastline, providing enormous potential for fisheries and aquaculture development.
The sector supports thousands of livelihoods through artisanal fishing, fish processing, transportation, and related value chains while contributing significantly to food security and rural employment.
Government and development partners have increasingly prioritized reforms aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, improving fisheries management, strengthening marine conservation, and promoting sustainable aquaculture to increase domestic fish production and economic growth.
Observers believe improved communication between institutions such as NaFAA and the media can enhance public awareness of these initiatives while encouraging greater citizen participation in marine resource governance.
Kanubah concluded by encouraging stronger institutional collaboration between government agencies and independent media organizations, arguing that healthy engagement not hostility best serves the national interest.
He applauded NaFAA and its development partners for establishing the Open Media House and expressed hope that other ministries, agencies, and commissions would adopt similar transparency initiatives.
The launch of the Open Media House comes amid growing calls for greater openness, improved access to public information, and stronger accountability across Liberia’s public sector.
Media observers view the initiative as a positive step toward institutional transparency and a model that could strengthen government communication while reinforcing the media’s democratic oversight role.
For many governance advocates, the message delivered by the Press Union was clear: public institutions should inform, engage, and remain accountable to citizens not become instruments of political confrontation.
