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PUL urges open, impartial probe into death threats against media executives

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-Writes Justice Ministry for security for T-Max et al

By Our Reporter

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has written a letter to the Justice Ministry calling for a speedy investigation into allegation of death threats against a local media executive, Mr. T-Max Jlateh and few other media practitioners.

In a press statement, the PUL said its letter to Justice Minister Cllr. Musa Dean has requested an open and impartial investigation into allegations made by the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy CEO of Sky Communications Inc., Mr. Jlateh, who is also a popular talk show host.

While it anticipates a speedy police investigation, the PUL says it is also asking that the security of the media executive is prioritized by state security and all protections provided to him.

There have been discovery of mysterious deaths in the Country over the past Months and the Talk Show Host fears that he could be killed without a trace of his killer.

L-R T-Max Jlateh, Philibert Browne and Rodney Sieh

The Liberian media executive recently said he had received strange mobile phone calls threatening his life and that of FrontpageAfrica’s Managing Editor, Mr. Rodney Sieh and the Publisher of the Hot Pepper newspaper, Mr. Philipbert Browne. Political commentator and also Roots FM talk show host, Mr. Henry Costa is also said to be on the alleged hit list.

But Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs, Mr. Eugene Fahngon reading the Government’s statement at MICAT press briefing last Thursday April 4, 2019 said: such allegation warrants a speedy investigation and the Government is treating such seriously.

In its statement this week, the PUL says: “It worries us at the Press Union and all lovers of liberty when these very grave allegations are coming out at the time when partnerships are being forged at different levels of government to improve the operating environment of the media in Liberia.”


The umbrella group for Liberian Journalist added that the conclusive nature of the inquest it is seeking on the reported threat will assure the journalism community in the country that the government is not targeting some of its members.

According to a Press Union release, Jlateh has complained of dozens of death threats – mostly from loyalists of the government and pro-Weah zealots – against him and his family.

Mr. Jlateh also claimed that a meeting plotting to execute him was held last Thursday with ex-rebel generals under the supervision of high-ranking ministers in the George Weah’s led government.

“The popular and critical talk show host furthered that another meeting aimed at killing him was held under the leadership of a sitting senator because of his critical views on national subjects,” the Press Union wrote in its letter to the Justice Ministry.

“Mr. Attorney General, T-Max Jlateh, in keeping with the above, has informed the Press Union of Liberia that he is viciously pursued and tailed on a daily basis since the reported meetings were held.”

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