After President George Manneh Weah signed into law the Kamara Abdullah Kamara (KAK) Act of Press Freedom, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has said it is “exceedingly grateful” to the Liberian leader for the move.
In the early days of his first year, President Weah resubmitted to the 54th National Legislature with few changes the [TA1] two Legislations that were earlier submitted to the 53rd Legislature by the administration of former President, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the 54th National Legislature.
Resubmitting the Bill, President Weah named it in memory of the late PUL President Kamara who died last year.
Some of the changes included titling the Press Freedom Act after the deceased former President of the Press Union of Liberia and veteran journalist Kamara Abdullah Kamara.
It amends Chapter 11 of the Penal Law of 1978, repealing Sections 11.11 on criminal libel against the President; 11.12 on Sedition and 11.14 on criminal malevolence.
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.
But after the Legislature passed the Act, President Weah last week signed it into Law, which will be followed by its printing into handbill to take effect, in line with the Liberian constitution.
Over the weekend, the PUL issued a statement lauding the President for signing the Act into law, which repeals some sections of the Penal Code of Liberia in an effort to decriminalize speech offenses and create a free media environment.
The draft legislation which at the time sought to amend Chapter 11 of Penal Law of 1978, repealing Sections 11.11 on criminal libel against the President; 11.12 on Sedition and 11.14 on criminal malevolence.
“The Press Union of Liberia is exceedingly grateful to President George M. Weah for the political will mustered to drive the passage of the bill in the legislature. We are also grateful to all development partners and lovers of liberty who supported this lawmaking initiative which is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Liberia’s growing democracy,” the PUL statement said.
Liberia’s Constitution provides for Freedom of Speech and expression and a caution of an abuse thereof. The West African State is a signatory to the Table Mountain Declaration which demands that African countries abolish insult and criminal defamation law. Liberia also has a Freedom of Information Law (FOI) and the Independent Information Commission.
“We are happy that we have decriminalized speech offenses. This constitutional right must not be abused by journalists, media workers and other professionals but use in ways and manner that will contribute to nation building. We must at all times be cautious of our responsibilities to preserving our country’s peace and serving all of humanity. Our joy today is packaged in the fact that the law is named Kamara Abdullai Kamara Act of Press Freedom, in honor of the deceasedimmediate past President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL),” said PUL President, Charles B. Coffey, Jr.:.
The former Press Union of Liberia President used up his mandate as leader of the journalism community advocating for the repeal of provisions of the Penal Law of Liberia, which hinder freedom of speech and independence of the media in Liberia.
Meanwhile, the Press Union of Liberia is urging government agencies whose responsibilities fall in the realm of ongoing media reforms in the country to remain engage to enable the formulation of an internationally acceptable regulatory regime for the media sector in Liberia.