(CPJ/IFEX)- On 27 December 1997, Al-Jerome Chede, producer and announcer for the privately owned Radio Monrovia (FM 98.7) call-in shows “Issues in the Press” and “Press Fire”, fled Liberia with his wife Melissa Chede after an attempted kidnapping on 26 November 1997. The attempted kidnapping was the latest in a string of press freedom violations […]
(CPJ/IFEX)- On 27 December 1997, Al-Jerome Chede, producer and announcer for the
privately owned Radio Monrovia (FM 98.7) call-in shows “Issues in the Press” and
“Press Fire”, fled Liberia with his wife Melissa Chede after an attempted
kidnapping on 26 November 1997. The attempted kidnapping was the latest in
a string of press freedom violations targeted against Chede, who is
currently seeking refugee status in a neighboring country.
Background Information
On 26 November 1997, six armed men, believed to be agents of former National
Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPLF) General Mr. Coocoo Dennis, located
Chede’s car on Bushrod Island and attempted to kidnap Chede’s associate,
Chris Teah, whom they mistook for Chede. They vandalized and immobilized
Chede’s car and then assaulted Teah, who had borrowed Chede’s car. Upon
realizing that it was a case of mistaken identity, the attackers abandoned
Teah and told him they would return for Chede.
In September 1997, Chede received seven anonymous threats at his residence
ordering
him to “watch what you say on the radio.” These threats followed an
interview with United States Information Service (USIS) Information Officer,
Joe Mulbach, in which Chede asked for Mulbach’s perspective on whether
President Charles Taylor’s statement that he is “the most mischievous man in
Liberia” was a confession, in light of “the President’s legal troubles in
the United States and Sierra Leone, and his election to power following
fraudulent elections.”
On 20 January 1997, Chede and his then co-producer Mr. Legerhood Rennie,
received
anonymous phone calls at Radio Monrovia threatening their lives.
In June and July 1996, Chede received several anonymous death threats at
home and at
Radio Monrovia demanding that he “desist from advocating against the
warlords.” The callers branded him a United States agent. These threats
occurred soon after the radio station re-opened following a cease-fire, and
after Chede had interviewed a USIS officer and the Ambassador of the United
States on his show.
On 15 April 1996, Chede was arrested by soldiers loyal to Charles Taylor
when he and the Alpha Broadcast crew attempted to film the arrest of the
United Liberian Forces (ULIMO-J) leader Roosevelt Johnson. Chede was
assaulted and then transported to a location on the beach to be executed.
His life was spared upon the intervention of rival ULIMO faction (ULIMO-K)
leader, General Ibrahim Kromah.
On 16 April 1996, Radio Monrovia was vandalized and destroyed by NPFL and ULIMO
forces.
