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Liberia Conference to Tackle Media Law Reform

International Freedom of Expression Exchange Clearing House (Toronto)
PRESS RELEASE
October 7, 2004
Posted to the web October 7, 2004

IFEX members will play prominent roles at a conference in Monrovia, Liberia,
this month aimed at producing a blueprint for bringing the war-torn country's
media laws and policies in line with international free expression standards.
From 21 to 23 October 2004, more than 50 representatives of local journalists'
associations, international media assistance organisations and inter-
governmental agencies will participate in the National Conference on Media Law
and Policy Reform in Liberia. They include Canadian Journalists for Free
Expression, the Media Foundation for West Africa, ARTICLE 19, the International
Federation of Journalists and Media Rights Agenda.
The IFEX members are part of the Partnership for Media and Conflict Prevention
in West Africa, a coalition of organisations working to assist media in
conflict-ridden countries.
Conference participants will review Liberia's laws and policies affecting media
and formulate a programme of suggested reforms. A taskforce will also be
created to draft legislation and policies that will be proposed to the
transitional government.
The conference objectives are guided by a U.N.-sponsored Joint Needs Assessment
Report in February 2004, which concluded that "fostering public dialogue,
encouraging freedom of expression and promoting confidence in democratic
institutions are outcomes to pursue in parallel with the establishment of an
independent media."
The conference is supported by UNESCO, the United Nations Development
Programme, International Media Support, Open Society Institute and Ibis-West
Africa.

   

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