Monrovia – The USA Division of State’s 2024 Nation Studies on Human Rights Practices has flagged incidents in Liberia the place authorities actions positioned limits on freedom of expression and press freedom, regardless of constitutional protections.
By Jaheim T. [email protected]
In accordance with the report, “The structure supplied for freedom of expression, together with for members of the press and different media, and the federal government typically revered these rights, though with some unofficial limits.” It famous that “People have been typically free to criticize the federal government publicly or privately, however authorities officers typically used dismissal or risk of dismissal from employment to put limits on freedom of expression for public servants.”
One incident cited within the report occurred in August when “the Monrovia Metropolis Company dismissed 9 metropolis staff following allegations they used social media to criticize authorities officers and the president.”
Further particulars surrounding the dismissals emerged in March, when Civil Service Company (CSA) Director Common Josiah Joekai publicly referred to as for the termination of 9 MCC staff over what he described as a “lethal social media marketing campaign” towards senior officers, significantly President Joseph Boakai.
In his remarks on the Ministry of Info, Tradition, and Tourism (MICAT) briefing, Joekai said: “The Civil Service Company (CSA) requests the Monrovia Metropolis Company (MCC) to right away relieve 9 staff who’ve persistently engaged in harmful and damaging social media campaigns towards public officers, significantly focusing on the President of Liberia.”
He additional added: “These actions have triggered vital hurt to the repute and picture of the MCC. The destructive portrayal of presidency officers by these unscrupulous staff has far-reaching results on the people involved and the federal government as an entire. Such unacceptable and sustained conduct on social media is incompatible with the standing of the staff in query. Due to this fact, the MCC should take into account terminating their companies and promptly notify the CSA of this motion.”
Dismissal letters have been despatched to the 9 MCC staff, with FrontPageAfrica seeing copies of three. A immediate investigation revealed the people have been supporters of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and have been employed throughout the tenure of former Monrovia Metropolis Mayor Jefferson Koijee.
Amongst these dismissed have been Public Relations Officer Alpha G. Grey, Income Agent Boye Kokoi, and Procurement Assistant Richard Singbeh, all of whom are reported to be CDC partisans.
On media harassment, the report said: “Press associations reported authorities officers often harassed newspaper and radio station homeowners, in addition to particular person journalists, due to their political views and reporting.”
One case highlighted occurred on June 26, when “the Affiliation of Liberia Group Radios demanded the reinstatement of Radio Kakata Station Supervisor Jerry Quoi, who was suspended by Margibi County Superintendent Victoria Duncan for alleged monetary malfeasance.” The affiliation, in keeping with the report, “warned towards political interference within the operations of group radios throughout the nation, asserting such actions amounted to media censorship.”
The report noticed that “Though typically in a position to specific all kinds of views, some journalists practiced self-censorship to keep away from harassment.” It additional famous that “Some media shops averted criticizing authorities officers attributable to concern of authorized sanctions and potential lack of authorities promoting, a big supply of media income.”
Detailing tensions between the federal government and the press, the report referenced a June 20 assembly the place “Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana and media executives turned contentious, main a number of editors to stroll out.”
The incident, it defined, “arose regarding new accreditation necessities for journalists overlaying the chief mansion, together with police clearances and institutional tax clearance certificates.”
The report additionally pointed to monetary stress on media homes, stating: “These insurance policies, together with calls for by the federal government without spending a dime web site promoting, which impacted newspaper revenues, sparked issues relating to media freedom and independence.”
