By K. Ericson Sayee, Contributing Writer
Monrovia, March 3, 2026-–The House of Representatives today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026 concurred with the Senate to review the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act aimed at amending it to make Gender-Based Online Abuse and Harassment a criminal offense.
The initial KAK Act is void of any offense relating to Gender-Based Online Abuse, giving members of the press a freedom that doesn’t contain an offense that would impede their functional duty.
In his letter to the House of Representatives during the 14th day sitting of the third session, Representative. Nyan G. Flomo (Electoral District #2, Nimba County) said the proposed amended Bill intends to add a new section to the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act of the Press Freedom.
According to Rep. Flomo, his motivation for the proposed Bill stems from the growing concern over the pervasive use of profane, vulgar, and insulting language on social media platforms, specifically targeting individuals based on their gender.
“While Liberia has made commendable strides in protecting press freedom, he disclosed that a gap remains in protecting the dignity of our citizens, particularly women and girls, from the unique harms of online gender-based attacks.”
The Liberian Lawmaker said the move has been made as a result of huge concerns from many Liberians, notably referencing former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who in her recent interview on State Radio, criticizing those who have transitioned from discussing the real meat of the matter, but rather resorting to throwing tantrums and insults.
Former President Sirleaf was commenting on the case of controversial Liberian Social Media figure, Justin Oldpa Yeazehn alias “Prophet Key”, who was sent to prison by the Supreme Court for six months for insulting the Chief Justice’s Mother. This, the highest court in the country considered as bringing the Court to public disrepute, after holding Prophet Key in contempt.
The former Liberian leader condemned the use of insults and called for law to prohibit invectives on citizens.
Rep. Flomo quoted the former Liberian President: “many countries have laws that set the standards of conduct for people who use the air, radio, newspaper, to be able to say things that are totally contributory to causing problem in the society and saying things that are false, rude”.
He said that he has been guided by two fundamental pillars of the 1986 Constitution: Article 5(b), which directs the Republic to ensure, through legislative
action, equal rights and opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of gender.
Rep. Flomo intimated that the Bill is a direct legislative effort to fulfill this constitutional mandate by creating a specific legal framework to protect all genders from targeted, abusive speech that undermines their dignity and right to participate in public discourse without fear of harassment.
The Nimba County Representative added that Article 15 of the Liberian Constitution guarantees the freedom of expression, but however, the proposed Bill is grounded in the qualifying clause of that very Article, which states that any person will be “responsible for any abuse thereof.”
Rep. Flomo asserted that “this amendment does not seek to stifle legitimate press freedom, political speech, or fair comment, which are robustly protected by the original Kamara A. Kamara Act. Instead, it seeks to establish clear boundaries where that freedom is abused to inflict harm through profanity, vulgarity, and
Protocol”.
He added: “Wanton insults motivated by gender, thereby holding individuals accountable for their actions. This Bill is carefully crafted to balance these constitutional imperatives. It provides clear definitions, establishes necessary defenses for protected speech and press activities, and prescribes proportionate penalties, including fines or imprisonment.”
The proposed amended Bill also intends to complement the recently passed Cybercrime Act of 2025 by adding a specific focus on the gendered nature of online abuse, reaffirming
Liberia’s commitment to international instruments like CEDAW and the Maputo
It establishes a difference between being vocal and being abusive and
insulting.
“It is my firm belief that this proposed amendment will fortify our laws to better protect the dignity of all Liberians while upholding our cherished freedom of the press,” Rep. Nyan Flomo stated.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has mandated the Committees on Information Broadcasting and Judiciary to scrutinize the Bill to report within a week.
The Liberian government in 2019 signed the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act, which amended Chapter 11 of the Penal Law of 1978, repealing Sections 11.11 on criminal libel against the President; 11.12 on Section and 11.14 on criminal malevolence. Free speech and media freedom advocates have hailed the President for demonstrating genuine commitment to protecting the basic tenets of Liberia’s fledgling democracy.
The KAK Act of Press Freedom also strengthens and actualizes Liberia’s commitment to several legal instruments signed onto, such as Freedom of Information Act, the Table Mountain Declaration and many others.