Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)

Articles by Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)

Policemen patrol outside the Supreme Court in Monrovia, Liberia, 7 December 2017, HUGH KINSELLA CUNNINGHAM/AFP/Getty Images

President George Weah signs new press freedom act which repeals libel

The newly signed press freedom act named after journalist Kamara Abdullah Kamara abolishes criminal defamation.

Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf delivers her State of the Nation address to a joint session of the legislature in Monrovia, Liberia, 26 January 2015, John Moore/Getty Images

Liberian parliament revokes press accreditation of journalists

The Liberian Parliament has revoked the accreditation of a number of journalists for their supposedly repetitive coverage of proceedings of the House.

Candidate for the presidential election for the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), George Weah (2nd L) speaks to journalists after casting his ballot in Monrovia, Liberia, 26 December 2017, Stringer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Second destructive attack on Roots FM intended to intimidate

The destruction of property during a second attack on Roots FM radio station in Liberia suggests the attack is meant as an intimidating gesture, intended to silence talk show host Henry Costa.

A man listens to the radio next to two men looking at  provisional elections results in a newspaper, in Monrovia, Liberia, 13 October 2017, CRISTINA ALDEHUELA/AFP/Getty Images

Monrovian radio station Roots FM attacked by armed men

Armed men attacked Monrovian radio station Roots FM and destroyed broadcast equipment in what CEMESP has described as “a calculated ploy to silence critical voices in Liberia”.

George Weah, President of Liberia (C) and Vice President Elect Jowel Howard Taylor (R) attend a press conference at the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Party's headquarters in Monrovia, Liberia, 30 December 2017, Chongyoon Nah/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Liberian ruling party officials’ verbal attacks on media on the rise

Over the last few months, there have been numerous verbal attacks on journalists by government ministers from the ruling party.

A man displays a copy of the "Hot Pepper" newspaper in a street in Monrovia, Liberia, 13 October 2017, ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images

Journalist receives death threat after reporting on missing billions

Philibert Browne, journalist and editor of the Hot Pepper newspaper, which has been reporting on a missing container of sixteen billion Liberian dollars [USD 104 million], has reported death threats from unknown individuals.

A man sells newspapers with headlines featuring the recent presidential elections on a roadside in Monrovia, Liberia, 29 December 2017, SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images

Lawyer in Liberia (allegedly) threatens journalist with death

Liberian lawyer Charles Abdullai allegedly threatened to have journalist Bettie Johnson Mbayo assassinated.

Liberians listen to the radio for the results of the presidential ballot, in Monrovia, 13 October 2017, CRISTINA ALDEHUELA/AFP/Getty Images

Liberian government suspends media operating licences

Citizens express outrage at the Liberian government’s decision to suspend media operating licences and authorisations issued this year.