By: Archie Boan
Speaker of the 55th Legislature, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, has issued direct threats to accredited journalists covering the House of Representatives, warning that any recording or reporting from Tuesday’s sitting would result in journalists being jailed.
The remarks were made during the 12th day sitting of the 3rd Quarter of the Second Session, which failed to attain quorum after roll call. The sitting had been called to order by the acting Sergeant-at-Arms, followed by the opening prayer and roll call. Upon realizing that the required number of lawmakers to legally conduct business had not been met, Speaker Koon instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms and doormen to move through lawmakers’ offices to summon additional members to the Chamber.
While waiting, several lawmakers present began informal discussions on the floor. Accredited legislative reporters, who had been properly admitted into the Chamber in accordance with established procedures, continued with their routine observation and note-taking. It was at this point that Speaker Koon turned his attention to the press, issuing stern warnings in a visibly forceful tone.
“To the press, this session is not legal yet. Any recording from here, we will deal with you. This session is not legal yet until we can get quorum,” Speaker Koon said.
He continued, “We must not say your must not be here while the men them talking. You carry any recordings from here, when we catch your, we will jail your.”
The comments immediately drew concern among legislative correspondents, many of whom described the tone and threat of imprisonment as unprecedented in recent legislative history.
Legal analysts, media practitioners, and observers argue that the Speaker’s threats openly contradict the Kamara Abdullah Kamara (KAK) Act of Press Freedom, signed into law in 2019 by former President George Manneh Weah.
The Act repeals several criminal provisions previously used to punish journalists, including: Section 11.11 Criminal Libel Against the President, Section 11.12 Sedition, Section 11.14 – Criminal Malevolence. By abolishing these offenses, the KAK Act decriminalized free speech, ensuring that journalists cannot be imprisoned for carrying out their professional duties.
Specifically, Article 3 of the KAK Act states that the Legislature “repeals all statutory provisions used to criminalize speech and expression,” thereby strengthening constitutional guarantees under Article 15 of the 1986 Constitution, which affirms the right of every person to freely express and disseminate information without fear of criminal punishment.
Media lawyers say that under this framework, threats of imprisonment for reporting or recording legislative proceedings are inconsistent with national law, violate established press freedoms, and undermine Liberia’s democratic governance framework.
Journalists covering the legislature have expressed concern that Speaker Koon’s remarks may create a chilling effect on the media’s ability to monitor the House an essential component of transparency in public office. Legislative reporters note that they were present in full compliance with accreditation rules, and no parliamentary rule was cited to justify any attempt to remove or restrict them.
