(RSF/IFEX) – On 6 May 2003, RSF expressed concern about the disappearance of William Quiwea, a correspondent for the radio station Talking Drum Studio-Liberia. The journalist disappeared more than one month ago during attacks by rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) movement in several provincial capitals. He was based in Zwedru, […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 6 May 2003, RSF expressed concern about the disappearance of William Quiwea, a correspondent for the radio station Talking Drum Studio-Liberia. The journalist disappeared more than one month ago during attacks by rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) movement in several provincial capitals. He was based in Zwedru, in the southwestern county of Grand Gedeh.
On 9 April, RSF called on the authorities to make every effort to locate Quiwea through a serious and impartial inquiry. “At a time when the population is the victim of widespread attacks by armed rebels, the government must take effective steps to ensure the safety of journalists, who provide the crucial service of informing Liberians,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said.
Other journalists who disappeared at the same time as Quiwea have since reappeared. Grody Dorbor, editor of “The Inquirer” newspaper, contacted his family on 9 April to say he had taken refuge along the Ivorian border. He has yet to return to Monrovia.
Oscar Dolo and Nyahn Flomo, also local Talking Drum Studio-Liberia correspondents, disappeared in the rebel areas but turned up in a forest in Nimba county on 15 April. They subsequently returned to Monrovia. Government troops reportedly harassed them as they fled the fighting. Soldiers confiscated their motorcycles and continue to demand that the journalists give them US$200 (178 euros) before they are returned. However, the journalists said they were not physically harmed by either government troops or rebel forces.
