In keeping with the mandate of the newly established National Media Council of the Press Union of Liberia, the Council will on Thursday, June 15, 2017,   begin hearings into complaints arising out of ethical transgression.   

The Nine–Member-Council, which comprises media,   religious groups, legislature,   civil society, academia, and women groups,was established and adopted on November 18, 2016, to, among other things, guarantee compliance with the Code of Ethics for Liberian journalists through contents on multiple media platforms; respect the right to freedom of expression and information and adopt measures that are proportionate and necessary in order to redress violation of the Code.

Additionally, the Council is charged with the responsibility to undertake appropriate and proactive measures to ensure adherence to the highest journalistic standards, including the investigation, mediation and settlement of complaints made against or by the press, in so far as their work enhances the safety of journalists and preserve the public good as well as to  keep under review, and where appropriate, comment on  political, legislative, commercial or other developments which may adversely affect the dissemination of information of public interest and threaten the public's right to know.

At the same time, the National Media Council has observed with concern, the continuous attack on journalists by the Liberty Party; the latest being the case with Frankline Doloqui, a stringer of the Liberia Broadcasting System and the New Dawn Newspaper, who was allegedly mal-handled by partisans of the LP during its recent convention in Ganta, Nimba County.

It can be recalled that journalist Joe K. Fineboy, a freelance journalist was allegedly flogged by Liberty Party’s Vice Chairman, Dairus Dallon, in May 2017, this allegation is also before the National Media Council for hearing.