The PUL specifically, frowns at the Friday September 20, 2019 broadcast edition of the Freedom Morning Rise, a popular radio program aired on Freedom 87.9 FM. Freedom FM is owned and operated by Deputy National Security Agency (NSA) Director Sam T. Sayon.

The PUL, in a statement said Presenters Sekou Sheriff and Austin Kawah, violated the professional standards and guidelines for journalists, by using invectives, during their usual rants on radio in a copycat disposition of the Roots FM’s flagship talk show the Costa Show, the PUL disclosed.

The Press Union sees the recent wave of rival insults coated broadcast on the airwaves as a direct product of hate style politics being practiced in the country.

The union said to spree out unruly comments to a listenership so indeed of detailed information on specific governance sector tie to their livelihood is very contemptible and dangerous for societal cohesion.

The Press Union of Liberia has without stupor declared Freedom FM and Roots FM, the forerunner of abusive broadcast, destructive tools against the security of the state. Broadcast content produced by these radio stations are teaching younger generation of Liberians to be untamed.

Article 15 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia provides every Liberian the right to freedom of expression but alerting of full responsibility when abused.

The Press Union of Liberia is now inviting immediate action against these broadcasters mainly owned by Liberian political leaders from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism (MICAT) and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, (LTA) within the scope of the organic Law.

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) is therefore calling on the Government of Liberia (GOL) as the regulatory body to take actions in keeping with the standards and procedures provided for by the laws of the Republic of Liberia

The post PUL declares Freedom FM & Roots FM destructive tools against the security of the state first appeared on OK FM.

MONROVIA: One of Liberia’s top Musicians Christopher Nyengar alias Christoph the Change, has been evicted from his Old road residence for house rent.

Mr. Nyengar is among several residents who were dragged to the Monrovia City Court on failure to pay their rental.

After a Conference with city Court Judge Quincy Garnett, an eviction order was issued on Wednesday, ordering the Sheriffs to duly oust eject and evict defendant Nyengar and the rest of the tenants involved.

The Judge also ordered the Sheriff to seize and expose to sale any properties or money for the defendants in order to recover the money owed the Landlord.

The amount owed by Defendant Nyengar is Three Hundred United States Dollars, while the two other defendants, Joah Sarah Hughes, Bobby and Princess as mentioned in the Court order owed Three Hundred forty and Six hundred Thirty US dollars respectively.

The Court ordered the defendants to pay the Total amount of One Thousand Eight Hundred One United States Dollars and Two thousand Five Liberian Dollars, including all expensive during the Court process.     

Some of the defendant’s properties have been seized and are in Court Custody. 

The post Hip-Co artist Christopher Nyengar alias Christoph the Change evicted from his old road residence for failure to pay US $300 rental first appeared on OK FM.

The opposition MP has appeared at a military court in the northern town of Gulu, where he was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of firearms and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition, but not treason as had previously been reported.

He was arrested after a vehicle in President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy was attacked on Monday in the town of Arua, ahead of Wednesday’s fiercely contested by-election.

Wine’s driver was later shot dead, in what the MP says was an attempt to kill him.

His ally Kassiano Wadri, who won the Arua poll, was earlier charged with treason, along with 31 others.

The authorities have not responded to the allegation that Wine was assaulted in custody.

The 36-year-old has long been an outspoken critic of Uganda’s government.

“When our leaders have become misleaders and mentors have become tormentors. When freedom of expression becomes the target of oppression, opposition becomes our position.”

The lyrics are from a song titled Situka, which means “Rise up” in Luganda, sung by Wine ahead of the 2016 general elections.

The Afrobeats artist was using the song to exhort Ugandans to play an active role in fighting corruption and injustice in their country.

At the time many of the country’s famous musicians backed President Yoweri Museveni’s re-election but Wine however refused to hop on the bandwagon.

It was then that some suspected that Wine wanted to play an active role in politics.

Who is Bobi Wine?

The Afrobeats star, who began his music career in the early 2000s, has always described his craft as “edutainment” – entertainment that educates. One of his earliest hits, Kadingo, is a song about personal hygiene.

Wine, whose official name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, was elected to parliament as an independent in a by-election last year in Kyadondo East, central Uganda.

He beat candidates from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the main opposition Democratic Change (FDC).

The self-declared “ghetto president” told the BBC after his win that he represented a new generation: “I am going to stand up for issues. I’m here to give young people confidence,” he said.

The moniker came about after he continued recording music, despite his fame, in his poor neighbourhood in Kamwokya, in central Kampala where he grew up, the BBC’s Patience Atuhaire says.

Source: BBC Africa

The post Bobi Wine: Uganda’s Afrobeats MP standing up to Museveni first appeared on OK FM.

With a total of 6 contestants helming from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, New York, and New Jersey, it was a riveting return of the Miss Liberia USA Pageant, after its absence in 2017.

The dimly lit halls of the Suzanne Collins Theatre in the heart of Philadelphia’s theatre district on Friday, July 20, filled up with Liberians from around the USA eager to see who will carry the coveted crown.

“Its really difficult to tell who will win. All the ladies are so unique in their own way, and bring something different to the table, which is different from the other pageants where you could easily tell who the top two will be.” Said Nadia Riggio, 1^st Runner-Up in the 2012 Miss Liberia USA Pageant.

Riggio’s sentiments were that of many observers in the hall as the segments of the pageant concluded.

“I’m glad I’m not one of the judges. It will be so hard for me to choose”, said one observer.

The judges, hailing from various parts of Africa, included Liberian Fashion Designer Rose Dousah of Roshe Design, current Miss Africa USA Corinne Missi, Liberian Model, Blogger, and Influencer, Deddeh Howard, and Sierra Leonean Jewelry Tycoon, Dan Moijey.

Speaking on the pageant and the state of Liberia, Pageant Judge and Model Deddeh Howard said; “Its nice to see everyone here, but I know we can and will do better”

The night was filled with youthful Liberians and Africans excited to celebrate Liberia and discuss plans of impacting the nation and the continent at large.

“The time for Africa is now. We must focus on collaboration and not competition if we are to move Liberia forward.” Said the co-host of the show and founder of the Grand Bassa Trade Conference, Bleejay Innis.

A representative of the event organizers, LUWIP, Ms. Renee Wilson stated that the group is excited to return to hosting the pageant once more in leu of a minor hiccup back in 2017. While LUWIP has taken on the initiative to host the Miss Liberia USA Pageant, it remains unclear who will host the next Miss Liberia Pageant.

The last Miss Liberia Pageant was hosted December 2016 in Liberia, at which point Ms. Wokie Dolo of Nimba County won the title. With almost two years gone since then, there has been no other pageant held for Dolo to pass on the crown, and it remains unclear the future plans for the pageant.

Meanwhile, the 2018 Miss Liberia USA Ms. Naomi Glay intends to use her new platform to advocate for survivors of sexual abuse/assault.

CREDIT: FPA, Liberia

The post Miss Georgia Liberia is Crowned the 2018 Miss Liberia USA first appeared on OK FM.

These days you would almost be tempted to purchase an handcuff while going for a show that involves Stunna, Deng, CIC, Feouls or Christoph… Because with how Stylish they can look you would almost want to pin your girlfriend to yourself before one of these guys steal her away from you. Hmm…To dress to kill is really not a joking matter no more, every Male artiste in Liberia now practically understands branding, and with that there’s a common sense that States that: The way you dress is the way you would be addressed.

The post LIBERIAN FASHION POLICE: Who Has Been The Most Stylish Liberian Male Artiste Since the Year Started? first appeared on OK FM.

Monrovia-The Press Union of Liberia has named OK FM as the Best Radio Station in the country for 2018.

The pronouncement was made at the weekend in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County at the PUL’s awards night.

The Union President Charles Cuffey noted that the award considered content, independence and integrity as criteria.

President Cuffey added that the award is given annually to deserving media outlets and individuals based on their contributions to society.

He added that it also serves as motivation for others to emulate in accordance with the standards of professionalism.

OK FM 99.5, a media institution which came to  being nearly three years ago was among several radio stations listed for the award.

Several other journalists were awarded with individual awards including a hat trick by both Betty Mbayo of Front Page Africa and Anthony Stephens of Power FM/ TV.

For his part, OK FM Station’s Manager Smith Toby could not hold back the joy of obtaining the award amongst the multiplicity of media institutions in the country.

Manager Toby recollecting the station’s two years of existence and independence vowed to endeavor for other awards.

“Is is with great Joy that I celebrate  this award especially on this day which is my birthday. Many thanks to all of our followers including those in the diaspora, for the love and respect they showed to us. With God being our helpre, we at OK FM will sustain this awards for years to com” Toby added.

The Bush Chicken, an online news paper in Liberia won four awards given out by the Press Union of Liberia, which is more than any other single outlet received on Saturday.

The outlet’s sports reporter, Kla Wesley, was recognized as the Sports Journalist of the Year, while its Maryland reporter, George Momo, won the Human Rights Reporter of the Year award. Sampson David, who reports for The Bush Chicken in Grand Bassa, was celebrated for outstanding reporting on the County Social Development Fund. Gbatemah Senah, who won three awards last year, was also recognized as the Land Rights Reporter of the Year.

The Bush Chicken’s publisher and CEO, Jefferson Krua, said it was a great achievement that his institution was recognized for the second year as Liberia’s best news outlet by having its reporters win the most awards of any institution in the country.

“It’s a testament to the amount of work and integrity we have been putting forward,” Krua noted.

Other journalists who received awards were Bettie Johnson-Mbayo from FrontPage Africa, who received three awards – Judicial Reporter of the Year, Women’s Rights Reporter of the Year, and Health Reporter of the Year. Anthony Stephens, a news editor for Power TV and Power FM, also won three awards including the Investigative Reporter of the Year, Extractives Industry Reporter of the Year, and Environmental Reporter of the Year.

John Kollie, the executive director of the Liberia Media for Democratic Initiative, was also awarded as the Journalist of the Year, while the Inquirer Newspaper won the Newspaper of the Year award. OK FM won the Radio Station of the Year award.

The press union also presented awards to the best community radio stations in each of the 15 counties. The winners included Radio Kakata in Margibi, Radio Bong Mines in Bong, Peace FM in Grand Gedeh, Voice of Rural Montserrado, Radio Bomi, Radio Cape Mount, Radio Dugbar in Grand Bassa, River Cess Broadcasting Service, Voice of Karn in Nimba, and Voice of Lofa, Radio Kpoo in Gbarpolu, Voice of Pleebo in Maryland, Radio Gee of River Gee, and Voice of Grand Kru. No station in Sinoe was announced as winner because the nomination forms had not been collected, according to the awards committee.

The awards committee did not announce winners for other categories including Business, Development, and Photojournalism. The committee did not officially provide a reason for the exclusion.

The post OK FM Wins PUL’s prestigious Radio Station of the Year Award first appeared on OK FM.

Complainant Peter Jomah and Denise Jomah makers of the Ah-Daya are claiming over US$6 million from the company on an action for damages for wrong for copyright.

The pair claimed that they are publishers and artists respectively for the album titled “AH-Daya” which was released in 2014.

The album was released and registered with the Liberia Copy Rights Office/ Intellectual Property Authority in February 2016 along with other legal entities.

Both the publishers and artistes alleged that immediately upon the release of the album in 2014, many people and organizations began expressing interest in the songs and a meeting was held in June 2015 to set the appropriate use or license fees as local or domestic commercial use rate, record label/ Liberia Company US$10.00 or its equivalent, entertainment & tourism business/Liberian US5,000 or its Liberian equivalent.

Other fees include regional and international commercial use rate, record label US$75,000 or its Liberian dollars equivalent, entertainment & tourism US$25,000 or its Liberian dollars equivalent local and international telecommunication, television and cable network capable of transmitting electronic signal or other means locally and or internationally US$500,000 or its Liberian equivalent.

According to the complainants, the Company and Sweet Sound Production as both defendants jointly and individually having access to the work broke the digital protection encrypted to prevent unauthorized copying or manipulation of plaintiff’s album.

The pair (company and Sweet Sounds) as conspirators or as agent and principal instituted a willful and deliberate campaign against the complaint’s rights by using state of the art or sophisticated computer programming techniques, continually, produced and distribute illegal derivate works of the complainant.

The Two complainants are claiming that the 1st & 2nd defendants stored the infringing contents or products of their work on 1st defendant Lonestar network from its location, they distributed and publicly perform the songs to subscribers on 1st defendant network” said the complaints.

“Wherefore and in view of the above facts and laws, complaints pray for judgment jointly and individually against the 1st and 2nd defendants as follows, US$505,875.00 as special damages, special damages to cover license US$504,965.00, general damages,” states the lawsuit filed on behalf of the complaints by the Gongloe and Associate Law Inc.

Responding to the complaint, Lonestar Cell/MTN through its legal counsel Cllr. Emmanuel Reeves in association with the Dunbar and Dunbar Law Offices asked the court to ignored and dismiss the case.

According to the defendants, it is without knowledge certain to confirm neither deny the assertion of the complainants to know when the album was released and whether many people and or organization express in complainants’ songs and how they derived at the cost as it relates to local or domestic commercial use rate.

“Wherefore and in view of the foregoing facts and circumstances, defendants most respectfully pray this honorable court to dismiss complaints complain in its entirety and grant unto the defendants all and further relief deemed proper, legal just and equitable in the premises,” said the defendants’ lawyer Reeves.

The post LoneStarCell/MTN Faces US$6M Suit for Alleged Copyright Violation first appeared on OK FM.

The evening gown section is also being axed, with contestants asked to wear something that makes them feel good and expresses their personal style instead.

Former winner Gretchen Carlson broke the news on ABC’s Good Morning America.

“We will no longer judge our candidates on their outwards, physical appearance. That’s huge,” she said.

“We are no longer a pageant,” said Carlson, the first former Miss America to be named chair of the board of trustees of the Miss America organisation.

“We are a competition.”

Instead of the swimming costume segment, there will be interviews with the contenders, who will be asked about their passion, intelligence and understanding of the Miss America role.

Carlson explained: “We’ve heard from a lot of young women who say, ‘we’d love to be a part of your programme but we don’t want to be out there in high heels and a swimsuit’. So guess what, you don’t have to do that anymore.

“Who doesn’t want to be empowered, learn leadership skills and pay for college and be able to show the world who you are as a person, from the inside of your soul?”

She added: “That’s what we’re judging them on now.”

Miss America’s former executive director Sam Haskell, president Josh Randle, and other board members resigned over a scandal last year over vulgar emails disparaging contestants.

In the emails, published by the Huffington Post, pageant officials made degrading remarks about past winners’ appearance, intellect, and sex lives.

Following the revelations, Carlson became part of an all-female leadership team at Miss America.

She was crowned Miss America in 1989.

Recently, Carlson has been an advocate for victims of sexual harassment and a champion of the #MeToo movement.

In 2016, she settled a lawsuit against former Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, who stepped down from his role after mounting pressure from several employees with similar accusations. Ailes died last year.

The 2019 Miss America Competition airs live on ABC on 9 September.

The post Miss America waves bye bye to bikinis first appeared on OK FM.

Spade, a handbag and fashion designer, was found dead in her New York home.

Police said they were investigating her death, at 55, as an apparent suicide.

Spade’s family said in a statement that they were “devastated by today’s tragedy” and would “miss her terribly”. They asked for privacy.

The designer is survived by her husband, Andy Spade, and their teenage daughter, Frances Beatrix.

Spade, a former editor of fashion magazine Mademoiselle, created a fashion sensation in the 1990s with her line of handbags, and built an accessories empire that grew to hundreds of shops internationally.

“Kate Spade had an enviable gift for understanding exactly what women the world over wanted to carry,” Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, said in a statement.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America has paid tribute to Kate Spade, who died on Tuesday, calling her “a great talent who had an immeasurable impact on American fashion”.

Spade, a handbag and fashion designer, was found dead in her New York home.

Police said they were investigating her death, at 55, as an apparent suicide.

Spade’s family said in a statement that they were “devastated by today’s tragedy” and would “miss her terribly”. They asked for privacy.

The designer is survived by her husband, Andy Spade, and their teenage daughter, Frances Beatrix.

Spade, a former editor of fashion magazine Mademoiselle, created a fashion sensation in the 1990s with her line of handbags, and built an accessories empire that grew to hundreds of shops internationally.

“Kate Spade had an enviable gift for understanding exactly what women the world over wanted to carry,” Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, said in a statement.

Police said the designer’s housekeeper found her unresponsive on Tuesday at her Park Avenue apartment in Manhattan.

The New York police department chief of detectives, Dermot Shea, said a note had been found at the scene but he declined to reveal its contents. He said the evidence at her home pointed to “a tragic suicide”.

The post Kate Spade: Tributes pour in for ‘great talent’ after apparent suicide first appeared on OK FM.

California-DJ Khaled has reason to be grateful — he’s been nominated for a leading six trophies for the BET Awards.

The nominations for next month’s ceremony were announced Tuesday night (May 15). Among the awards Khaled was nominated for include album of the year for Grateful and video of the year for “Wild Thoughts” which featured Rihanna and Bryson Tiller.

Other top nominees include Migos and SZA, both of whom were nominated for four awards. Bruno Mars, Drake, Beyonce, JAY-Z, Cardi B and Chris Brown are also up for key awards.

Recent Pulitzer Prize-winner Kendrick Lamar is among the nominees for best album, and he’s got competition from himself, for his Black Panther soundtrack.

The blockbuster is also nominated for best movie along with Girls Trip and Wrinkle in Time, among other films. Tiffany Haddish is nominated for best actress along with the likes of Issa Rae and Lupita Nyong’o, while Michael B. Jordan faces off against Chadwick Boseman and more for best actor.

Venus and Serena Williams are among the nominees for sportswoman of the year while LeBron James and Steph Curry are among the sportsman of the year nominees.

The BET Awards will air live on BET on June 24 from Los Angeles. See the full list of nominees below.

Best Female R&B / Pop Artist Award
Beyonce
SZA
H.E.R.
Rihanna
Kehlani

Best Male R&B / Pop Artist Award
Bruno Mars
Chris Brown
The Weeknd
Khalid
Daniel Caesar

Best Group Award
Migos
A Tribe Called Quest
N.E.R.D.
Rae Sremmurd
Chloe X Halle

Best Collaboration Award
Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B – Finesse (Remix)
DJ Khaled feat. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – Wild Thoughts
DJ Khaled feat. Jay-Z, Future & Beyonce – Top Off
Cardi B feat. 21 Savage – Bartier Cardi
French Montana feat. Swae Lee – Unforgettable
Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – LOYALTY.

Best Male Hip Hop Artist Award
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
DJ Khaled
Jay-Z
J. Cole

Best Female Hip Hop Artist Award
Cardi B
Nicki Minaj
Remy Ma
DeJ Loaf
Rapsody

Video of the Year Award
Drake – God’s Plan
Cardi B – Bodak Yellow
Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B – Finesse (Remix)
DJ Khaled feat. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – Wild Thoughts
Kendrick Lamar – HUMBLE.
Migos feat. Drake – Walk It Talk It

Video Director of the Year Award
Benny Boom
Director X
Ava Duvernay
Chris Brown
Dave Meyers

Best New Artist Award
SZA
H.E.R.
Daniel Caesar
GOLDLINK
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Lecrae feat. Tori Kelly – I’ll Find You
Snoop Dogg feat. B. Slade – Words Are Few
Ledisi & Kirk Franklin – If You Don’t Mind
Marvin Sapp – Close
Tasha Cobbs Leonard feat. Nicki Minaj – I’m Getting Ready

The Best International Act Award
Booba (France)
Cassper Nyovest (SA)
Dadju (France)
Davido (Nigeria)​
Distruction Boyz (SA)
Fally Ipupa (Dr. Congo)
J Hus (UK)
Niska (France)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Stefflon Don (UK)
Stormzy (UK)

Best Actress Award
Tiffany Haddish
Lupita Nyong’o
Issa Rae
Angela Bassett
Letitia Wright
Taraji P. Henson

Best Actor Award           
Chadwick Boseman
Michael B. Jordan
Donald Glover
Sterling K. Brown
Denzel Washington
Daniel Kaluuya

Young Stars Award
Yara Shahidi
Ashton Tyler
Caleb McLaughlin
Lonnie Chavis
Marsai Martin
Miles Brown

Best Movie Award
Black Panther
Girls Trip
A Wrinkle in Time
Detroit
Mudboung

Sportswoman of the Year Award
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Candace Parker
Elana Meyers Taylor

Sportsman of the Year Award
Stephen Curry
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Dwayne Wade
Odell Beckham Jr.

Album of the Year Award
DAMN. – Kendrick Lamar
CTRL – SZA
4:44 – Jay-Z
Culture II – Migos
Black Panther: The Album – Kendrick Lamar & Various Artists
Grateful – DJ Khaled

BET Her Award
Janelle Monae – Django Jane
Lizzo – Water Me
Mary J. Blige – Strength of a Woman
Remy Ma feat. Chris Brown – Melanin Magic (Pretty Brown)
Chloe X Halle – The Kids Are Alright
Leikeli47 – 2nd Fiddle

Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
SZA feat. Travis Scott – Love Galore
Cardi B – Bodak Yellow
Kendrick Lamar – HUMBLE.
Drake – God’s Plan
Migos feat. Cardi B & Nicki Minaj – Motor Sport
DJ Khaled feat. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – Wild Thoughts

The post BET AWARD releases 2018 nominees list first appeared on OK FM.