Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)

The Press Union of Liberia has announced a news blackout on the Liberian presidency until journalists across the country can be guaranteed freedom and safety. The blackout is a response to threatening remarks made by the director of the Executive Protection Service.

The Center for Media Studies and Peace Building has filed a writ of mandamus with the Supreme Court of Liberia, after the organization was denied access to asset declaration forms from the national Anti Corruption Commission.

Othello Warrick, director of the Executive Protection Services (EPS) called journalists “terrorists” while serving as a panelist for a World Press Freedom Day event in Buchanan. He stated that journalists have their pens and the EPS has its guns.

Death threats, physical attacks, an emergence of hate speech and accusations of official censorship of critical media have escalated the perilous situation for freedom of expression in Tunisia, say over 20 IFEX members.

Vandarlark Patricks, the chairperson of the Intellectual Discourse Association, spent three days in National Security Agency cells for threatening to hold a peaceful demonstration during the High Level Panel Summit in Liberia.

The Costa Show has been suspended due to on-air comments that allegedly insult the presidency.

MFWA welcomes the move by Gambian authorities to drop charges against two journalists for seeking permission to peacefully protest the execution of death row inmates, but calls for investigation into death threats against journalists.

Radio Veritas, a Catholic-run radio station in Liberia, has been shut down. The station manager said the closure was due the constant complaints to the Catholic Church – allegedly by some higher ups in government – that the station was going contrary to its “vision statement” and has embarked upon reporting on critical issues.