The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has condemned the flogging of Journalist Salam O. Kaloko of Magic TV and other attacks, while covering the protest for the establishment of a World Crime Court in Liberia.
As the Union condemns the wave of attacks on Journalists by some state security forces it is calling a mass meeting of PUL members on Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Union’s headquarters in Monrovia.
“The meeting is intended to jointly find solutions to the increasing wave of attacks, detention and intimidation of journalists by state security,” an announcement from the PUL Secretary General Musa Kanneh says.
Journalist Kaloko was brutalized by Agents of the Executive Protection Service while capturing footages of the protest.
His Canon Camera, Two Smart Phones, Video Recording Camera, 450 USD, Camera Stamp and power bank were forcibly taken away by the EPS.
The Union is also appalled by the detention of Journalist Aryee Davies of Truth Fm.
Ms. Davies was detained Tuesday while covering the arrest of a campaigner for the establishment of a world crime court in Liberia, Emmanuel Savage .
Journalist Davies was later released upon the intervention of the Press Union of Liberia.
PUL is surprise that these unfortunate situations took place at the Headquarters of the Liberia National Police in the presence of commissioners of the Liberia National Police.
“We view the latest attacks by the police as an attempt to force the media into self-censorship but called on the media to remain steadfast in telling the Liberian story.”
In furtherance, Another Journalist, Benjamin Toby of the Cyclone Newspaper was also released on Tuesday from jail to the Press Union of Liberia.
He spent Monday night in police custody at zone 4 depot 1 in Garndersville.
The incident brings to seven (7 ) the number of journalists arrested and detained by the Liberia National Police in two weeks in Lofa, Rivercess and Montserrado Counties.
The Press Union of Liberia has communicated with the Inspector General of Police Patrick Sudue for an immediate investigation into the increased targeting and maltreatment of journalists.