The Liberia chapter of the African Media Network for the Promotion of Health and the Environment (REMAPSEN) has been launched with a clear mandate to strengthen specialist journalism and contribute meaningfully to the country’s public health and environmental discourse.
Serving as keynote speaker at the launch, the President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Julius Kanubah, underscored the importance of specialized journalism in addressing critical national challenges, including poverty, inequality, and human insecurity.
Kanubah commended REMAPSEN’s focus on health and environmental reporting, describing it as a timely and necessary intervention. He urged members of the newly launched network to uphold the core principles of journalism, fairness, accuracy, impartiality, and responsibility, while contributing to the fight against misinformation and disinformation across both traditional and digital media platforms.
“We believe that through your reporting, we will see an improvement in the quality and quantity of specialist information on health and the environment,” Kanubah said. “As you begin this journey, I encourage you to adhere strictly to the code of ethics and conduct for Liberian journalists. Through responsible reporting, we can collectively dismantle misinformation and support national development.”
He further called on journalists to work collaboratively in promoting accurate health information, strengthening environmental reporting to inspire sustainable actions, and using the media to highlight issues affecting women and children, efforts he described as critical to Liberia’s progress.
The launch was sponsored by UN Women, a gesture Kanubah acknowledged with appreciation. He also encouraged media practitioners who are not yet members of the PUL to register, noting that a stronger union would advance collective interests, including the construction of the union’s national headquarters.
Speaking on behalf of UN Women, Deputy Country Representative Yemi Falayajo emphasized the need to examine health and environmental challenges through a gender lens. She noted that women and men experience health risks differently due to social roles, unequal power relations, and disparities in access to resources.
Falayajo described the launch of REMAPSEN Liberia as a statement of purpose, reaffirming the belief that communication is a powerful tool for accountability, prevention, and social transformation. “Journalists are not merely reporters of events,” she said. “They are narrators of our shared realities, watchdogs of accountability, and often the first to raise the alarm when communities are at risk.”
She added that the launch, supported by the UN Women Regional Office for West and Central Africa (WCARO) and other partners, coincided with the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, highlighting the importance of sustained commitment, collective action, and accountability in preventing violence against women and girls.
UN Women also commended the establishment of REMAPSEN Liberia, noting the critical role of the media in advancing gender equality and ending violence against women and girls.
For her part, Rita Jlogbe, National Coordinator of REMAPSEN Liberia, outlined the network’s plans to establish a strong national presence, including county-level representations, and to pursue strategic partnerships aligned with its mission.
She explained that REMAPSEN Liberia will focus on strengthening the capacity of journalists to report accurately on health and environmental issues, promoting public awareness and education, and advocating for policy reforms that protect the most vulnerable, particularly women and children.
“Our mission is to ensure that every African, especially women and children, has access to accurate, timely, and actionable information,” Jlogbe said. “We envision a continent where the power of media uplifts communities, empowers individuals, and fosters collective action against disease and environmental degradation.”
Describing the network’s launch as a milestone for Liberia’s media landscape, Jlogbe said REMAPSEN Liberia aims to serve as a bridge between communities and policymakers, amplifying the voices of those often unheard and ensuring that critical information reaches every corner of the country.
“From our humble beginnings to this moment, we have drawn strength from the dedication and resilience of our members,” she added. “Their collective spirit and commitment to our vision have been evident in the widespread support and publicity surrounding this launch.”
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