The media blackout in Liberia - 13 May 2013
By Evan-Lee Courie, @evan1985It's been reported that newspapers in Liberia have printed black front pages after a government official was accused of threatening journalists, this is merely a week after World Press Freedom Day [3 May 2013]. A director of the presidential security service is said to have told a journalist to "Be careful, because you have your pens and we have our guns."
Following a mass meeting on Thursday, 9 May, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has taken certain measures in response to the Executive Protection Services threats. They are:
All independent newspapers will print black front pages with appropriate inscriptions to protest the threats and insults by Daniel Othello Warrick (Director of Executive Protection Services) and the insensitivity shown to the public so far by the president.
Radio and TV stations will express their protest by suspending broadcast for 2 hours, from 9-11am daily beginning Friday, 10 May 2013 followed by a replay of Warrick's threat and the PUL response.
As journalists feel unsafe in the presence of presidential guards who threaten their lives, correspondents assigned by media houses to cover the presidency are being withdrawn.
There is a news blackout imposed on the Liberian presidency until there can be expressed and established guarantees for the freedom and safety of journalists across the country and an end to media impunity.
The PUL is holding consultations with lawyers to explore the possible pursuit of legal action against the EPS chief for "terroristic threats".
The PUL will further consult with the Africa Editor's Forum which, in 2011 recognised President Sirleaf as a Friend of the Media, to consider a public withdrawal of the award in response to the threats that this "friend" is condoning threats the future of journalism in Liberia. (Source: www.ifex.org).
I'd like to see pictures of the various newspapers, so send them to moc.ytinummoczib@swenacirfa or tweet us at @Biz_Africa.
Joel Simon, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, recently wrote a letter to the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, asking the body to mark World Press Freedom Day today by calling for the release of all journalists imprisoned in Africa and appealing for justice in the murders of journalists killed in the line of duty.
So it's clear that media freedom, in some parts of Africa, is still an ongoing battle....
On a brighter note, have a wonderful week!
Evan-Lee Courie @evan1985, @Biz_Africa
