The leadership of AJURL, an umbrella organization under the PUL, has taken note of the press statement released on October 20, 2025, by PUL President Julius Kanubah. In that statement, the PUL disclosed that a complaint had been filed by journalists Stephen Roberts, Jacqueline L. Dennis, and G. Richard Watson against the leadership of AJURL. The statement alleges a “leadership gap within the Association of Judicial Reporters of Liberia.” We are compelled to ask: What specific leadership gap are our professional colleagues referring to?
The PUL’s statement further indicates that the complaint was filed in October 2024. It is deeply concerning that our media colleagues would submit a complaint nearly a year ago without providing written notice to Ms. Natasha Y. Wright, President of AJURL. The Association expresses its disappointment in the manner in which the PUL leadership has handled this matter. It is standard practice that when a complaint is filed against a subordinate body, the higher authority should formally communicate with that body to seek clarification. Unfortunately, President Kanubah’s leadership failed to observe this basic procedural courtesy and did not furnish AJURL with a written copy of the allegations. The Association of Judicial Reporters of Liberia only became aware of this allegation by a press statement issued by the President of the Press Union of Liberia.
We are left to wonder on what basis President Kanubah declined to serve us a copy of the complaint. Under legal practice, when a complaint is filed, the principle of discovery applies, meaning the complainant must provide all relevant evidence intended for use against the respondent. We find it troubling that the President of the PUL appears unfamiliar with such fundamental legal principles.
It is also important to emphasize that, according to Article 7, Section 2 of the PUL Constitution, it is the responsibility of the Vice President of the Union to oversee the actions and inactions of all umbrella organizations.
Furthermore, we categorically state that journalists Stephen Roberts, Jacqueline L. Dennis, and G. Richard Watson are not bona fide members of AJURL. We challenge our colleagues to produce letters of designation or assignment to AJURL, as well as the judiciary-issued access passes required of all judicial reporters.
To substantiate our position, journalist Stephen Roberts has been assigned in Bomi County as a correspondent for the Liberia News Agency for the past year.
Journalist G. Richard Watson previously assisted, Massa Kanneh Telleh of OK FM, the designated judicial reporter. He resigned after two years and transferred to Verity News. Journalist Jacqueline L. Dennis has no assigned beat. She frequently moves between government branches, today at the Executive Mansion, tomorrow at the Judiciary, and the next day at the Legislature.
We maintain that these individuals lack the legal standing and capacity to file any complaint against AJURL. Therefore, we respectfully request that the Press Union of Liberia dismiss the complaint without delay.
While we have ernomous regard for the leadership of the mother organization , we will not honor any public invitation instead the leadership of the PUL should accord us homage by officially writing our association detailing complaints to enable us adequately respond to any allegation or claim from the individuals in question.
Signed:
Executives & Legal Committee of AJURL
Approved:
Natasha Yassah Wright
President of AJURL
