It seems the unfriendly relationship between the Liberian media community and the George Manneh Weah administration is transcending the era of bellicose rhetoric and maturing into constructive interaction and cohesion. Most gatherings of media people in the country in years past were characterized by emotional orations from across the aisle, but that seems not the case during the celebration of this year’s World Press Freedom Day. The major orations dwelled more on gains made and frictions lighted in the last one year. Even the President of the Press Union of Liberia sounded congenial and pragmatic, acknowledging a major gain which is the fact that there is no Liberian journalists in behind bar in line with their reportorial and editorial duties. But President Charles Coffey, Jr., did not forget to flag the suppression of the registration of a seemingly opposition online media organ, The Punch. The Analyst reports.
The President of the Press Union of Liberia, Mr. Charles B. Coffey, Jr., says it is a delight that in the past years, no Liberian journalist was put behind bars on account of journalistic duties and functions.
He noted that since the historic repeal of the criminal and seditious libel law in 2019, Liberia has made commendable progress in the area of press freedom.
“No journalist is in jail in relation to the practice of journalism,” the PUL leader said. “No media house has been closed down.
The Liberian media environment is much better as media reforms programs are on course.
“Under my watch as President of the Press Union of Liberia, my team is working with partners including the United States Government and People to improve the legal operating environment of the media in Liberia,” he said. “Our work successfully decriminalized speech in partnership with the Weah Administration.”
He however pointed to one exception, the PUNCH FM, which is yet to be opened.
According to Mr. Coffey, the PUL pleaded with relevant state institutions to grant the station permit, until the issue landed at the court. So we are calling for speedy adjudication of the case.
“However, while it is good on a day like this to highlight the progress we have made in the area of press freedom, it is equally necessary to red-flag the emerging threats which have the potential to reverse all the gains we have made since the repeal,” he further stressed.
Mr. Coffey recalled that a number of incidents have been recorded by PUL from 2020 to present which is a cause of concern Dozens of journalists were attacked by some elements of the Liberian security sector. So we are again reminding government to release the findings and institute measures to avert harassment, intimidation and other unlawful acts against the media.
“We are not only concern about threats to free speech, but we are also worried about threats against citizens during electoral processes of our country, either by political actors and others who may think their rights were being affected,” Mr. Coffey further noted, adding: “Attacks on journalists and media workers are being tracked by dedicated staff at the Press Union of Liberia informing advocacy on journalists’ safety.”
The PUL president said his organization is engaged with the Liberia Telecommunication Authority to review the current FM Regulatory Regime which the Union has criticized for being profit driven then service orientated for the good of the people.
“In the past years we have run the National Media Council which has mediated cases arising from the works of journalists across Liberia,” he said. “The Press Union of Liberia, as an advocacy prodemocracy institution continued to protect the freedom and ensure measures to fully guarantee the safety and protection of journalists. So these gains we have made are irreversible.”
He said to continue the reform process of the media, PUL is collaborating with partners and government including some lawmakers including River Gee County Senator Conmany Wesseh to ensure the passage of a bill seeking the establishment of the Independent Media Commission.
“The Leadership of the Press Union of Liberia is urging all journalists and media workers as the watchdog of the society and the ‘fourth estate of the land’ to encourage freedom of speech as guaranteed by the Liberian constitution, the fundamental objectives contained in chapter 15 of the constitution and uphold the responsibility of the government to the public.”
He urged media workers to remain professional and respect ethical standards. In recent times, the PUL received many complaints of alleged reckless practice by certain media houses and some journalists.
Mr. Coffey added: “Let me remind you colleagues and all media houses that freedom is important to be used responsibly. Journalism is a privilege, a service to society, not to be misused. This is also a priority for PUL and we will continue to build the capacity of our media practitioners. PUL is therefore, calling on all journalists and media houses to ensure professional and ethical practice at all times to put the public good ahead of other interests or considerations.”
He reminded journalists that while self-regulatory mechanism is another alternative means of enforcing professionalism, the press Union of Liberia as the umbrella professional platform of media practitioners in the country encourages its members and all journalists and media workers on the importance of self- respect, discipline and to always stand by the truth and justice.
He said further: “There are lots of reform measures put into placed and by the grace of God, I will successfully be ending the mandate you gave me on two occasions and I need to turn over to efficient, effective and media freedom advocates and people oriented leadership the authority you have entrusted with me.”
Coffey said the theme of this 2022 World Press Freedom Day, “Journalism under Digital Siege”, underlines the many new digital threats journalists are faced with, and demands responses from all concerned stakeholders.
It is very vital, that social media platforms increase transparency on various engagements to stop the spread of disinformation and promote reliable information, he said.
“In the same vein, human rights-based governance is required to guarantee that internet establishments do more to tackle disinformation, online hate speech and potentially hurtful content. This must be consistent with international standards on freedom of expression, access to information and the safety of journalists.”
According to him, standards of confidentiality or privacy ought to be reinforced in respect to threats as it relates to the right to privacy by digital technologies and practices such as data retention, mock intelligence, astuteness, infiltrator, and arbitrary surveillance.
“Proper Lawful or permissible actions are desirable to avert and prosecute illegal surveillance of journalists, both by public and private parties, while there should be unavoidable legal protection for journalists to keep their sources confidential.”
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