The 2024 U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices has flagged a controversial case involving the suspension of Radio Kakata’s station manager, Jerry Quoi, by former Margibi County Superintendent Victoria Duncan ~ drawing fresh attention to concerns over press freedom in Liberia.
The report, released this week, highlights that while Liberia’s constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the press, these rights are sometimes curbed by government interference, intimidation, or political pressure. It specifically cited Quoi’s suspension as an example of potential political overreach into media operations.
According to the report, Quoi was suspended in June 2024 by Superintendent Victoria W. Duncan over allegations of financial impropriety ~ a move that sparked backlash from media advocacy groups. The Association of Liberia Community Radios (ALICOR) swiftly condemned the action, calling it politically motivated and demanding Quoi’s reinstatement. The organization warned against what it termed “political interference” in community radio operations, asserting that such acts constitute a form of media censorship.
Quoi, who was replaced shortly after his suspension by a female journalist in the county, expressed gratitude following the publication of the U.S. report. In a brief social media post, he wrote, “God did it for me. I’m grateful for this report that highlights my case in the 2024 U.S. Department of State human rights reports on Liberia.”
The report also documented a broader pattern of suppression faced by journalists and media workers in Liberia. It noted instances where public servants were allegedly dismissed or threatened with dismissal for criticizing government officials. In one such case, nine employees of the Monrovia City Corporation were terminated in August 2024 for allegedly criticizing the government on social media.
The inclusion of Quoi’s suspension in the U.S. human rights report is seen by press freedom advocates as a significant acknowledgment of ongoing threats to journalistic independence in Liberia. It comes at a time when media institutions and civil society groups are pushing for stronger protections and accountability mechanisms to safeguard freedom of the press.
Neither Duncan nor the Margibi County administration has publicly responded to the findings in the U.S. report as of press time.
