International Freedom of Expression Exchange Clearing House (Toronto)
26 April 2011
press release
A legislative reporter for Truth FM radio station in Liberia has suffered his second attack in less than two years. This time around, the assailants were thugs loyal to the Montserrado county aspirant in the country’s 2011 general and presidential elections.
Journalist Solomon Ware was harassed before being attacked by thugs loyal to the Montserrado county district number two representative aspirant, Wilfred Peters. The incident occurred on 18 April while the journalist was attempting to get Peters’ reaction to an accusation that the political candidate had raped and impregnated a 15-year old girl in the Buzzy Quarter community in Monrovia.
The management of Truth FM told CEMESP that Ware was rescued from his attackers after he called on the Liberian National Police Chief of Traffic, Mickie Gray, who intervened in the situation.
The station’s management has condemned the manhandling of its employee and has vowed to pursue what it calls “necessary recourse”. The management further denounced the repeated attacks on Ware by state actors and would-be custodians of the people’s power.
Several media development groups, including CEMESP, have condemned the unwarranted and barbaric attack meted out against the Truth FM legislative reporter and described the action on the part of the Montserrado County district number two representative aspirant as a troubling signal for peaceful journalists who will be performing their reportorial duties in the upcoming elections.
Source:
Center for Media Studies & Peace Building
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