IPNEWS: The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has with immediate effect put on hold the conduct of the impending leadership elections in the Reporters Association of Liberia (RAL), previously scheduled to take place on this Saturday, 08 November 2025.
The PUL’s decision is based on findings from the Independent Investigative Panel of Journalists and Media Professionals, which has been looking into certain practices in the RAL, including misappropriation of financial resources and constitutional violations.
The Independent Investigative Panel, chaired by journalist Augustus Bortue, Editor at FrontPage Africa, and comprising Ms. Lucia Dohr, Co-chairperson, Mr. Abraham Morris, Secretary, and members Mrs. Zeowheh Saywrayne–Sumo, Mr. Henry Karmo, Mr. C. Elwood Dunn, and Mrs. Wilhemina Garr–Stevens, formally submitted its comprehensive report to the PUL leadership on Friday, 07 November 2025.
In taking the decision to put on hold the RAL leadership elections, the PUL stresses that all relevant sides in the elections were consulted, including Mr. Willie Tokpa, president of the RAL; Mr. Frank Martin, Chairman of RAL Independent Elections Committee; and the provisionally qualified candidates for president, Mr. Webster Clayeh and Mr. Barclay Karnley; and Mr. Blamo Toe, who represented themselves and their respective teams.
The PUL believes in the face of mounting challenges leading to the RAL elections, it is prudent and necessary to manage and resolve all grievances to avoid a potentially chaotic election, which might lead to a crisis of legitimacy of any electoral outcome.
The PUL will work with the RAL leadership, the Congress and Elections Committees, and the provisionally qualified candidates to address the core challenges and opportunities surrounding the RAL elections.
Article 7 of the PUL Constitution empowers the Union to oversee the effective, active and smooth functioning of constituent/affiliate associations such as the Reporters Association.
The PUL urges all sides to the RAL leadership rigmarole and the elections to exercise calm, mutual respect, journalistic solidarity and integrity to safeguard journalism and media in Liberia, void of the use of vile language and threats.
