RELEASE
The Liberian government has set up a five man committee to look into a petition presented to it on Thursday, March 12, by members of the Press Union of Liberia.
In their grievance presented during a recent
peaceful protest, the journalists alleged that some of their colleagues have
experienced harassment and other forms of violence at the hands of state
security personnel.
A statement quotes Information Minister Eugene
Nagbe as saying the committee will be chaired by former Information Minister,
Dr. Larry Bropleh, and will comprise the CEO of the Security Expert Guard
Agency of Liberia (SEGAL), Momo Cyrus, and the former President of the Press
Union of Liberia Peter Quaqua.
Others are Prof Weade
Kobbah Wureh Boley, Vice President for Research at the University of Liberia,
and the head of Civil Society Council, Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai.
The committee is mandated to probe into the
journalists’ complaint and report its findings in 10 working days. It will also
be required to put forth recommendations on ensuring harmony between the
security forces and journalists as they carry out their respective tasks.
“The administration of President George Weah
reiterates its commitment to a free press; the government acknowledges that an
independent media is cardinal to a wholesome functioning democracy”, the
Minister said in the release.
He added that “the President has repeatedly committed himself to upholding the rule of law in the dispensation of his constitutional duties”
The President, Nagbe
further said, has pledged there will be no ‘scare crows.