United States: A United States based Organization; Foundation for Human Rights Defense International, FOHRD has frowned on what it terms as constant threats and intimidation meted against freedom of the press in Liberia.
According to the Organization, there can be no better foundation for success than freedom of expression and respect for the rights of journalists.
The statement by the Foundation for Human Rights Defense International is in reaction to a law suit threatened by Liberia’s Finance Minister Samuel Tweh against Journalist Rodney Sieh, Managing editor of the FrontPage Africa Newspaper.
Speaking via telephone from the United States of America during the weekend, Tee Wonokay, Executive Director for the Human Rights Organization said Journalist intimidation is against democratic values thus calling on Government officials to desist from such attitude.
Tee Wonokay said in the wake of economic hardships faced by many ordinary Liberians, government surrogates including Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and ruling Party Chairman Mulbah Morlu have consistently acted as attack dogs against journalist Rodney Sieh for his bravery in reporting on economic crimes and other forms of corruption.
“We do not have problem with taking a Journalist to Court, that is fair play. But, when you intimidate Journalist, that is a violation of the law.
In the last six months, I have been following very quietly, and I have observed several members of the CDC’s Government, including Representative Acarous Gray, Mulbah Morlu and now the minister of Finance, Samuel Tweh harassing and trying by all means every time to intimidate Journalists. And I felt like at this point in time, somebody has to stand up; because, it seams like it is a consistent move and its beginning with one Journalist at a time,” Wonokay said.
He stated, Foundation for Human Rights Defense, (FOHRD) can no longer stay silent in the wake of constant harassment and intimidation against members of the media.
The Liberian-American Advocate maintained that threatening the media is an unacceptable attempt to silent the voices of dissent, and the government of Liberia must respect Article 15, Section “B” of the Liberian constitution which establishes freedom of speech and protection for the rights of journalists.
According to him, the Foundation for Human Rights Defense (FOHRD) will rally support for the protection of Journalist Rodney Sieh and other Journalists in Liberia, while calling for the full involvement of every well meaning Liberian citizens to speak against the continuous acts of intimidation meted against Freedom of the Press especially by officials of the Weah-Taylor administration.