Monrovia, Liberia- As the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day, the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP) has voiced serious concerns over the state of press freedom in Liberia, urging President Joseph Boakai’s administration to address growing threats against independent journalism.
Marking this year’s global theme, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,” CEMESP pointed out that while environmental reporting is vital, Liberian journalists are currently grappling with systemic repression and intimidation that threaten the very survival of the free press.
In a press release issued in Monrovia, CEMESP condemned a string of incidents over the past year, including the questioning of Hot Pepper publisher Philibert Browne by the National Security Agency in February and the violent assault on FrontPage Africa’s Franklin Doloquee in Nimba County in November 2024.
The group criticized authorities for failing to respond decisively to these attacks.
The organization also cited the vandalism of Spoon Network’s offices in September following its coverage of alleged government inefficiencies. CEMESP accused the Liberia National Police of neglecting to conduct a meaningful investigation, characterizing the incident as part of a disturbing pattern of media repression.
“These developments are not only unconstitutional but also damage public confidence in the government’s promise of transparency,” CEMESP warned.
Despite these challenges, the organization acknowledged positive trends such as the determination of local community radio stations, increasing civil society participation, and renewed discussions around media reform.
CEMESP urged the Boakai government to take swift action to guarantee journalists’ safety, promote the independence of the Liberia Broadcasting System, and pass critical legislation, including the Independent Media Commission Bill, the Community Radio Sustainability Bill, and the Data Protection Bill.
“Liberia’s democratic future depends on a free and fearless press,” the statement concluded, calling on all stakeholders to support press freedom as a cornerstone of accountability and good governance.
World Press Freedom Day, established by the United Nations in 1993, serves as a reminder of the essential role journalist’s play in upholding democracy and the need for governments to protect their rights.
