(CEMESP/IFEX) – On 1 December 2006, two editors of the independent “Public Agenda” newspaper in Liberia’s capital Monrovia complained of threats on their lives by people believed to be agents of Special Security Service (SSS) Director Chris Massaquoi. Managing Editor Gibson Jerue and Editor-in-Chief Lyndon Ponnie said the agents have been threatening to “get rid” […]
(CEMESP/IFEX) – On 1 December 2006, two editors of the independent “Public Agenda” newspaper in Liberia’s capital Monrovia complained of threats on their lives by people believed to be agents of Special Security Service (SSS) Director Chris Massaquoi.
Managing Editor Gibson Jerue and Editor-in-Chief Lyndon Ponnie said the agents have been threatening to “get rid” of them if they continue critical reporting on the SSS Director.
“Public Agenda” newspaper has been investigating a shooting incident at the home of Director Massaquoi, which left SSS officer Emmanuel Williams dead.
According to the newspaper, hours after the newspaper published an interview with Ophelia Williams, sister of the murdered SSS officer, the two editors began receiving separate anonymous calls on their mobile phones from individuals said to be in defence of the SSS director.
One caller reportedly warned Jerue to stop “besmearing the reputation of Director Massaquoi or else (. . .).”
Another caller, according to the report, threatened to kill Ponnie if he did not stop investigating and reporting on the Williams case.
The murdered officer’s sister, in the interview, described the recent report released by the Government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on the death of her brother as “a mockery.”
Reacting to the threats, Jerue said they are intended to scare the newspaper to discourage it from further investigative reporting aimed at finding the killers of Officer Williams.
He said his newspaper will not be perturbed and will continue to engage in professional journalism by following up on stories.
A formal complaint has been filed by the management of the “Public Agenda” newspaper with the Press Union of Liberia.
