PHOTO: Anders Arvidsson, EU diplomat
By Moses M. Tokpah, mosesmtokpah@gmail.com
The deputy head of delegation of the European Union (EU) to Liberia, Anders ARVIDSSON has acknowledged that Liberia is a vibrant society with freedom of expression.
Making remarks on behalf of the head of delegation at the Press Union of Liberia 57th anniversary program in Liberia’s northwestern Lofa County, Ambassador Laurent Delahousse, Mr. Arvidsson said Liberia has a long history of defending press freedom and freedom of the media.
According to him, former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first African Head of State to sign up for the Table Mountain Declaration in 2012.
He stated that in February of 2019 under the current government, the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act on Press Freedom was signed into Law.
“It amended the Panel Law of 1978 and repealed the sections on criminal libel against the President, sedition and criminal malevolence. These are things to be proud of. However, we shall not be satisfied,” the EU diplomat said.
Mr. Arvidsson stressed the need for all to work together to ensure their speech and media remain free.
He assured the PUL that the European Union and its Member States will stand behind the PUL in this endeavor.
The EU Deputy Head of Delegation also said the European Union wants to continue to work with the Liberian media.
He disclosed that the EU delegation in Liberia is planning to organize a media workshop in 2022. But he said before then, the EU and its member states are planning to host meetings with media owners, editors and Journalists.
“As the head of Political, Press and Information in the EU delegation, I hope we meet again soon in these contexts,” Arvidsson added.