-As Minister Nagbe envisages new approach to libel cases
London-The Minister for Development at The United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) and top Official for Africa has recognized Liberia’s decriminalisation of laws that limited speech and expression, the criminal libel against the president and sedition.
A dispatch from the Liberian Embassy in London says the UK Minister made the commendation when she delivered the opening address at a panel on “Press Freedom, Development and Democracy in Africa” as part of Global Media Conference -held in London recently.
The forum was held under the aegis of the governments of the United Kingdom and Canada- Minister Harriett Baldwin reminded the delegates about the important nature of the gains made by Liberia with the passage of the ‘KAK Press Freedom legislation’ .
“Through my honourable friend, Minister Eugene Lenn Nagbe, can I also salute Liberia, on passing their press freedom legislation. It’s a milestone truly to be celebrated. It decriminalised libel against the president and amended the law on sedition. I think we should all give them a warm round of applause,” Minister Baldwin said.
The UK Minister also hailed the African Union for leading efforts on the continent regarding a free society. Indicating that the presence of the UK Foreign Secretary at the 2019 World Press Freedom Day in Addis Abiba, Ethiopia further testifies to the UK support for media freedom on the continent and worldwide.
“We
know that free media enables people to learn about their rights and hold
governments to account. this is vital for developing free and open societies”
She intimated that when people can engage with the decisions that affect them, they can prove the effectiveness of their government.
“Such environment makes business better, improves civil society and eventually, they take charge of their development.” noting that this enables international prosperity.”
According to a dispatch from London,
Minster Baldwin bemoaned the crisis state of media freedom around the world. She recalled that in many developing countries, the size and strength of the independent media is increasingly constrained.
Notably, with three journalists killed in the line of duty during the last month; as others are harassed and attacked. Emphasising that this worrying trend cannot continue.
New UK Media Support
As a co-convener of the two-day Global Media Freedom Conference- the United Kingdom has also rolled out series of critical interventions in advancing press freedom, professional journalism and media freedom mostly in Africa.
Aware about the increasing wave of disinformation, The UK government is leading with a 15 Million Pounds support to protect independent media in several countries in Africa.
Additionally, the UK Foreign Secretary has announced a new Chevening Africa Media Freedom Fellowship. The new program will assemble 60 exceptional African journalists to develop their craft at some of UK’s best news corporation, over the next five years.
A crucial outcome of the two-day media conference is also the Global media defence fund -launched in partnership with UNECSO and the UK Government. “critical partnership such as these- are essential to tackle deep rooted challenges,” said Minister Baldwin.