Articles by Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP)
Lawmakers threaten to bar journalists from forum, accuse them of bias
(CEMESP/IFEX) – One of the factions involved in the current leadership struggle in the Liberian House of Representatives has threatened to prevent journalists from covering their activities for what they term as “biased coverage” of the ongoing leadership crisis in that body. The lawmakers accused three radio stations – internationally funded Star Radio, Catholic-run Radio […]
Publishers accuse government of attempting to undermine independent media’s credibility through Christmas cheques
(CEMESP/IFEX) – Several journalists, under the banner of the Concerned Publishers of Liberia, have chided the government of Liberia for reportedly handing out large sums of money, consisting of cheques to the tune of US$500 each, to media institutions as a Christmas gift. They said the money was contained in the Christmas card delivered to […]
Two “Daily Observer” reporters accosted by National Archives official, newspaper threatened
(CEMESP/IFEX) – Reporter Rufus Paul of the “Daily Observer” was insulted, assaulted and thrown out of the National Archives in Monrovia on 5 December 2006, on the orders of Archives Director Sam Toe. Paul was investigating allegations that the Archives Director had misappropriated more than 400,000 Liberian Dollars (approx. US$8,000) from the Bureau. The “Daily […]
Two newspaper editors receive death threats over critical reporting on security chief following agent’s murder
(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” […]
Journalist threatened, his camera seized, by police officers for taking photographs of tax collection scene
(CEMESP/IFEX) – On 21 November 2006, officers of the Liberia National Police temporarily seized the camera of reporter Daylue Goah of the “New Democrat” newspaper. The police officers threatened to attack the reporter for taking the pictures of a tax collection scene on Capitol By-Pass in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia. A Ministry of Finance tax collector, […]
Journalist badly beaten by police while covering their abuse of detained rioters
(CEMESP/IFEX) – On 13 October 2006, a senior radio producer at a community radio station in Grand Gedeh County, southeastern Liberia, was badly beaten by four officers of the Liberia National Police on assignment with the county’s police detachment. Journalist Edmond Garley of Smile FM was beaten by the policemen while covering the 13 October […]
Ruling party threatens action against “opposition” journalists
(CEMESP/IFEX) – The chairman of the ruling Unity Party of Liberia, Dr. Charles Clarke, has threatened to take actions against journalists who he claims are “card carrying member of opposition political parties”. Clarke made the comments during a radio talk show on the local radio station, Star Radio, on 26 September 2006. However, he fell […]
Journalists reject committee report on beating of journalists by state security personnel
(CEMESP/IFEX) – The Special Presidential Committee set-up to investigate the allegations of beatings of several journalists by officers of the Special Security Service at Executive Mansion, the seat of Liberia’s presidency, has released its report. The five-member committee, which was chaired by Deputy Information Minister Elizabeth Hoff, was constituted in June 2006 by President Ellen […]