Monrovia, August 3, 2026 — The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has resolved to pursue legal remedies after the Government failed to provide evidence supporting claims that the Liberian media received funds from a drug cartel.
At a mass membership meeting held Monday at the Union’s headquarters in Monrovia, journalists and media practitioners voted overwhelmingly to mandate the PUL leadership to engage lawyers within one week. The decision follows allegations made by Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman, speaking on behalf of the Government’s Joint Security Investigative Taskforce.
On July 30, Coleman stated that the Taskforce had “verified and established” that drug traffickers had funneled money into the media to influence investigations into the seizure of cocaine valued at more than half a billion dollars. However, no evidence has been presented to substantiate the claim.
Union members expressed concern that the allegations were damaging, warning that they undermine public trust, endanger journalists, and erode the credibility of the media. Some members suggested the remarks may have been intended to divert attention from reports implicating senior security and government officials in alleged collaboration with the cartel.
The motion to engage legal counsel was introduced by journalist Winston Blyden, who argued that the Union must act swiftly to protect its integrity.
“Following more than an hour of discussions on the damaging statement from the Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman, I move…that this body mandates the leadership of the Press Union of Liberia to contact our lawyers with immediate effect to seek appropriate remedies to this issue and report within one week,” Blyden said.
PUL President Julius Kanubah commended members for their solidarity, stressing that the Union is not seeking confrontation with the Government but insists that authorities must provide evidence if they are serious about combating drug trafficking.
He added that failure to name the media institutions allegedly involved only serves to weaken the fight against illicit drugs.
