(CEMESP/IFEX) – On 27 February 2007, the government of Liberia revoked the operational license of “The Independent” newspaper in Monrovia for one year. The decision was announced at a press conference in Monrovia by acting Information Minister Laurence Bropleh. Minister Bropleh said the decision was in response to “The Independent”‘s publication of a photograph showing […]
(CEMESP/IFEX) – On 27 February 2007, the government of Liberia revoked the operational license of “The Independent” newspaper in Monrovia for one year.
The decision was announced at a press conference in Monrovia by acting Information Minister Laurence Bropleh. Minister Bropleh said the decision was in response to “The Independent”‘s publication of a photograph showing former Presidential Affairs Minister Willis Knuckles in a sex scene with two ladies.
Knuckles resigned on 26 February 2007.
At the press conference, Minister Bropleh also summoned the owners of printing presses in Monrovia and ordered them not to print “The Independent”.
Police were also reported to have sealed the premises of “The Independent” and other nearby organizations. Local news reported that more than 20 police officers moved on the premises of “The Independent” and chained the gates.
The actions have since been protested by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP) and the Liberia Media Center (LMC).
All the groups believe that the decisions act against freedom of expression and were taken outside of due process.
