(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a joint MISA and Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) alert: The “Chronicle” newspaper has been brought before the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in the capital, Monrovia, in an action for “damages for injury to reputation”. Philip Keikpo, former business manager of exiled former president Charles Taylor, is claiming US$5 […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The following is a joint MISA and Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) alert:
The “Chronicle” newspaper has been brought before the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in the capital, Monrovia, in an action for “damages for injury to reputation”.
Philip Keikpo, former business manager of exiled former president Charles Taylor, is claiming US$5 million for a front page lead story entitled, “How Taylor Diverted Millions”, published in the 23 January 2004 edition of the “Chronicle”.
According to MFWA sources in Liberia, the paper reported that Keikpo is a close associate of former president Taylor, and has information on some of Taylor’s secret bank accounts abroad. The story also alleged that Keikpo was the paymaster of the ruthless Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels in Sierra Leone. Keikpo has denied the allegations.
The “Chronicle” is owned by Philibert Browne, who was assistant defence minister for public affairs in Taylor’s government.
The lawsuit against the “Chronicle” is the second to be filed against a newspaper in Liberia within one week. On 21 January, the Monrovia Magisterial Court, presided by Judge Joseph Fayiah, ordered the arrest and detention of three journalists from the weekly newspaper “The Telegraph” (see IFEX alert of 5 February 2004). Managing editor Adolphus Karnuah, editor Philip Moore and reporter Robert Kpardeh were charged with “criminal malevolence”.
The paper was brought to court by Lorsey Kendor, minister-designate of the Ministry of National Security, who claimed that a story published in the paper’s 21 January edition was false. The story, quoting Philip Massaquoi, special assistant to the minister-designate, accused Kendor of embezzling US$15,000 in public funds.
MISA and the MFWA are concerned about the persistence of debilitating damage claims and other attacks on Liberia’s already disabled media institutions. Taylor’s 14-year dictatorship effectively destroyed the social, economic and institutional infrastructure of the country and media. Every effort and support must now be deployed towards rehabilitating and strengthening the capacity of the media to effectively play their watchdog role in this critical transitional period. MISA and the MFWA urge members of interim President Gyude Bryant’s government, the judiciary and all public office holders to encourage a greater tolerance and support of media and to desist from any acts that could potentially undermine the growth of a free and vibrant media in Liberia.
**MISA and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), as a joint activity, will henceforth issue alerts, statements and appeals to highlight media freedom and wider human rights violations in West Africa. See www.misa.org and www.mediafoundationwa.org for more information**
