(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Emma Wuor, RSF protested the decision to bar Radio Veritas from broadcasting on short wave radio. “We ask that you repeal this measure and not restrict the free circulation of information,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. The organisation also urged the authorities to ratify […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Emma Wuor, RSF protested the decision to bar Radio Veritas from broadcasting on short wave radio. “We ask that you repeal this measure and not restrict the free circulation of information,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. The organisation also urged the authorities to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the free circulation of information.
According to information obtained by RSF, on 2 July 2001, the minister of posts and telecommunications informed Radio Veritas that it was no longer allowed to broadcast on short wave. The Catholic radio station had been experiencing technical difficulties which prevented it from broadcasting on short wave for a year. The minister decided that “those short wave broadcast stations in active operation at the moment will be the only short wave broadcast stations to operate in Liberia for now.” According to the radio station’s manager, Ledger Hood Rennie, the station kept on paying for its FM and short wave broadcasting rights, despite the technical difficulties it was experiencing, and “no law requires a licensed radio station suffering from technical problems to seek permission from the ministry before resuming its broadcasts.” Radio Kiss FM, owned by President Charles Taylor, is now the only radio station operating on short wave frequencies in Liberia. Radio Veritas, which broadcasts on FM, can only be picked up in the capital.
RSF recalled that the government ordered the closure of Radio Veritas and the independent Star Radio in March 2000 (see IFEX alerts of 20 and 16 March 2000). Radio Veritas had resumed broadcasting after intense negotiations. However, Star Radio permanently shut down in July 2000, leading to sharp reactions from the public. The station was considered to be the only source of independent information in Liberia.
