Press Union of Liberia

Founded in Monrovia on September 30, 1964, the Press Union of Liberia is the umbrella organization serving Liberian media professionals and institutions. With a membership base of more than 500 journalists, the PUL has oversight responsibility for addressing problems arising from journalists' reportage and conduct in the face of the ever growing demand for quality and good taste. Basically, the Union was set up to advocate for press freedom and the protection of journalists. But since its founding, the Union has grown to a vibrant pro-democracy group that has championed not only media matters, but issues affecting the democratic governance of the state, social justice and human rights. During the protected Liberian crisis and the preceding years, when almost every strata of the Liberian society was polarized on factional and political lines, the Press Union stood as a defiant non-partisan institution that challenge the regimes in spite of the associated risk. Before the sixties, the Liberian press only concerned itself with government handout, or releases from embassies along with news from business houses and schools. With the establishment of the Union, Liberian the media have experienced some transformation, but much is desired in the face of the harsh political environment. Amidst the unfriendly space, the Union has also developed and has since been working to seek opportunities for the Liberian media as well as defend press freedom. The PUL provides small support to journalists who in distress if and when it has available resources. The Union currently operates through a five elected officials - comprising: President, Vice President, Secretary-General, Assistant Secretary-General and Financial Secretary. Seven standing committees are appointed by the elected leadership to form the Executive Committee that serves as supporting arm of the leadership in moving the Union forward. The EC is the highest decision making body of the Union next to the general membership (congress).