Love FM and Love TV stations are off the air after an arson attack destroyed a room where an old transmitter was kept.
(MFWA/IFEX) – In the early hours of 17 October 2011, unknown arsonists attacked the building housing pro-opposition radio and TV stations.
Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that the arsonists on board a red pick-up threw a petrol bomb in the building, destroying a storeroom where an old transmitter was kept; it took the timely intervention of the country’s National Fire Service to forestall further destruction of the two stations.
The stations, Love FM and Love TV, are owned by Sarafina Ventures Company Limited, whose owner is a known supporter of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).
The correspondent said Joe Mulbah, the chief executive officer of the company, claimed he received intelligence reports prior to the attack. Several of the stations’ reporters have also received death threats.
Although the motive for the attack was not clear, it comes in the wake of an arson attack on the ruling Unity Party office over opposition discontent of the 11 October general election results which produced no clear winner.
“Right now we do not know if we will be able to do broadcasts in the hours to come. The police have started investigations,” Mulbah told the media.
The stations have raised doubts that prompted fears of unrest over the weekend after accusing the elections commission of rigging results.
