Young Liberians Trained to Combat Election Misinformation

MONROVIA, Liberia, August 14, 2026 — Eighteen young Liberians drawn from student journalism, political parties, youth organizations and civil society have undergone training in media and information literacy aimed at combating misinformation and promoting responsible use of digital platforms ahead of future elections.

The training, held August 12 at the National Elections Commission (NEC) headquarters in Monrovia, focused on helping participants identify misinformation and disinformation, critically evaluate online content and use digital platforms responsibly to promote democratic participation and electoral integrity.

It marked the second edition of the Media and Information Literacy for Democracy: Strengthening Youth Participation through Information Literacy workshop.

The initiative is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), in partnership with the NEC, Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and Local Voices Liberia, with funding from the European Union, Ireland and Sweden.

Speaking at the opening, LESP Project Officer Roosevelt Zayzay said strengthening young people’s media and information literacy skills is critical to Liberia’s democratic development.

He described the initiative as an investment in a new generation of informed digital citizens capable of promoting credible information, peaceful civic engagement and democratic resilience.

“It is an investment in a new generation of informed digital citizens who will champion truth, promote peaceful civic engagement, and strengthen the resilience of Liberia’s democracy,” Zayzay said.

He urged participants to take the knowledge acquired from the training to their schools, universities, organizations, communities and digital platforms.

NEC Deputy Director of Communications Beatrice Jlopleh also urged participants to use digital platforms responsibly, particularly as the country prepares for future electoral activities.

“Use these platforms positively to impact your generation,” Jlopleh said. “Elections are ahead, and while young people are active online, it is important not to allow others to misuse you.”

She encouraged participants to use their influence online to contribute positively to the country’s democratic development.

PUL President Julius Kanubah, meanwhile, stressed the importance of media and information literacy in protecting democracy and strengthening responsible use of traditional and digital media.

Kanubah said young Liberians are not only consumers of technology but also creators, innovators and potential leaders who can use digital tools to influence governance and national development.

He called for greater efforts to confront misinformation, disinformation, cyberbullying and online harassment while ensuring that rural youth, women and persons with disabilities are included in Liberia’s digital transformation.

Participants also pledged to share the knowledge acquired with their respective institutions and communities.

Sarahlyn Suntay of the Peter Quaqua School of Journalism said she hoped to strengthen her understanding of media literacy, cyberbullying and responsible internet use.

Raymond C. Myers of Youth Aid Liberia said he wanted to deepen his knowledge of digital platforms and apply the lessons learned to encourage responsible online engagement ahead of future elections.

During the workshop, participants examined the influence of traditional and digital media on civic participation and discussed the threats posed by misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and cyberbullying.

They also participated in practical exercises, group discussions and case studies adapted from the UNDP Youth Civic and Political Participation Curriculum and UNESCO’s Journey through the MILtiverse toolkit.

The workshop is the second in a three-part series designed to develop a network of young digital ambassadors capable of promoting peaceful dialogue, strengthening electoral integrity and supporting democratic resilience across Liberia.

The Liberia Electoral Support Project is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, in collaboration with the NEC and with support from the European Union, Ireland and Sweden.