By Our Reporter
Police on Thursday morning (October 10, 2019) raided the private Roots FM Radio station of vocal talk show host, Henry Costa.
Immediately after the host announced that the station is being attacked, a large crowd converged at the station on Monrovia’s Ashmun Street, challenging the police move, with clashes ensuing.
Armed police took away equipment and documents from the station, after breaking their way through the locked gate. So far, it’s not know whether the police was acting on court warrant. The government has so far not made any official statement. But one report says a person believed to be a court officer was seen with the police.
After the shutting down of Roots FM, owned by Liberia’s Deputy National Security Agency Director, Sam Siryon, angry crowd moved on to the Freedom FM Radio on Benson Street demanding its closure.
Eyewitnesses say stones are being thrown and some vehicles are being attacked near Freedom FM. And the police are said to be making some arrests on the streets.
Last week, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) singled out both Roots FM and Freedom FM as stations broadcasting “hate speech” and insults in Liberia. It’s not known whether the CDC government’s action is prompted by the PUL pronouncement.
The emerging violence and tension forced some local businesses to close their doors out of fear.
Details will follow later