See also:
» 22.04.2010 - President Ellen in Liberia poll headache
» 22.12.2009 - First female wins Liberia's youth leadership award
» 18.12.2009 - Liberia exempted from arms embargo
» 17.12.2009 - Media rights group condemns arrest of media players
» 02.11.2009 - Sierra Leone judge takes over Taylor case
» 01.02.2008 - Publisher escapes death trap
» 24.10.2007 - Liberia media confronts threats
» 06.06.2003 - More attacks on Liberian media











Liberia
Human rights | Society | Media

Liberian judiciary wrestle media freedom

afrol News, 28 November - Liberian Chief Justice, Johnny Lewis, has ordered a confiscation of a camera belonging to one of the local journalists after he attempted to take his photograph.

Chief Justice Lewis has previously threatened journalists of detention in Monrovia central prison in October if his name was not addressed with "His Honour" in local publications.

Journalist Sando Moore said Chief Justice ordered the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) soldiers to seize the journalist's camera while he was attempting to take photographs on the grounds of the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.

Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP) statement said Mr Moore, who works for Daily Observer in Monrovia, his camera was confiscated after he failed to convince the Chief Justice why he was taking the picture.

"After these exchanges, Lewis ordered his UNMIL assigned bodyguards to forcibly seize the journalist's camera," CEMESP said in a statement, stating that the incident took place in the presence of associate justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia and several lawyers.

Justice Lewis is later said to have returned the camera to Mr Moore after the Press Union of Liberia's intervention also giving the Chief Justice 48 hours ultimatum, threatening to take unspecified action against him.

According to CEMESP, at a meeting with Mr Moore, the managing director of the Daily Observer and a host of other journalists, Justice Lewis said he regretted thesituation and returned the camera.

"It's a victory for the Liberian people, and it's a victory for the new political dispensation. I'm sure the Chief Justice realises that Liberia is not the same like yesterday, and it can never be where you can take advantage of somebody and try to use your position or power over that person," Mr Moore said.

CEMESP has viewed the latest action of Chief Justice Lewis as a continual attempt by public officials to tame and oppress local press.

The Press Union of Liberia has on the other hand in reaction to Chief Justice act, threatened to implement a media blackout of judiciary activities if the Chief Justice continues to intimidate the local press.


- Create an e-mail alert for Liberia news
- Create an e-mail alert for Human rights news
- Create an e-mail alert for Society news
- Create an e-mail alert for Media news


 
    Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now


UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara

afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington.
Central African Republic
Central African Republic falling apart

afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians.
Kenya
Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya

afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit

afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa.
Egypt
Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s

afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old.



front page | news | countries | archive | currencies | news alerts login | about afrol News | contact | advertise | español 

©  afrol News. Reproducing or buying afrol News' articles.

   You can contact us at mail@afrol.com