May 3rd of each year is set aside to pay special homage to journalists worldwide who have gone beyond the call of duty to unveil hidden truths and disseminate accurately, balance and credible report on global and local issues. This day renews the inspiration and strength of those who have steadfastly stood in defense of press freedom and the freedom of expression. It salutes outstanding institutions and individuals that have made an immense contribution to promoting a free press amid coercion and censorship.
The media in every nation is an essential embodiment of nation-building. It can drive or destroy the overall agenda of any country. The media in Liberia has been playing a very pivotal role in transforming our country, consolidating our fragile peace, sustaining our emerging democracy and promoting genuine national development. A prosperous nation is anchored to press freedom and free speech. No one should be subjected to criminal charges for expressing a view or thought on a specific issue.
Whenever politicians gruesomely pursue journalists for independently reporting all forms of unethical practices in government, it hampers genuine progress. Even though the government of Liberia under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made some gains to ensure press freedom, it remains a serious embarrassment for Liberia to rank 89 on the World Press Freedom Index. The government needs to take stronger and more proactive steps toward ensuring press freedom.
Liberian journalists have been through a lot. There are voluminous of untold stories and terrifying accounts. For more than seven decades now, they have stood up as watchdogs and gatekeepers of our society. They continue to make ultimate sacrifices for the growth and improvement of our nation. Our nation must honor them and show reverence for their courage and commitment. We must celebrate them and all those who have been standing up to defend press freedom. We must protect them and their families against potential coercion.
It is a tragedy for a Liberian journalist to be severely whipped for reporting the truth. It is a tragedy for a newspaper to be banned simply because it exposed corruption. It is a tragedy for a radio station to be shut down for broadcasting critical news. It is a tragedy to detain and jail a journalist for speaking against bad governance. It is a tragedy to target the family members of investigative reporters. It is a tragedy to invade printing houses for publishing credible and balanced news stories. It is a national tragedy for our judiciary system to be used as a conduit of manipulation to muzzle free press.
It is a tragedy for Editor Roland Worwee of the Corruption Watch Newspaper and Television Manager, Joe Wandah of Truth FM to be spending their fourth night in prison on charges of libel and defamation. It is a tragedy when publishers, editors, columnists, newscasters, talk-show hosts and political commentators are chased, handcuffed and sometimes beaten with gun butts for speaking truth to power.
It is a tragedy for our government to remain tightlipped on repealing libel and defamation in Liberia, but at the same time brags about signing the Declaration of Table Mountain. The tragedy of the Liberian media is too despicable to narrate. This is a tragedy that keeps on making our nation mourn. This is a tragedy that has kept our country in pandemonium.
This is a tragedy that continues to weaken our democracy and threaten our security. This tragedy is even visible today. If we truly desire an all-inclusive change in our country, we must consider this tragedy as a common enemy. This is a tragedy that we must confront together as a nation and a people. For too long, press freedom and freedom of expression have been restricted. It is time for all of us (ordinary and prominent citizens) to stand up in defense of press freedom. If our government fails to immediately revise laws criminalizing press freedom and free speech, our nation stands to risk a lot.
We must stand with the Press Union of Liberia to ensure the decriminalization of these antiquated and vicious laws. We must march together with Liberian journalists and lift our banners up high against these draconian laws that continue to pierce our democracy. We must stand steadfastly with the leadership of President Abdullah Kamara to defeat these laws before 2016 ends.
These outdated laws are used to protect the interest of politicians and shield corruption. They are used to protect the rich and influential against the overall agenda of the country. These statutes continue to stifle Liberian journalists and strangulate press freedom. They are completely contrary to the Table Mountain Declaration that was signed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in July 2012.
Those in political offices and high places need to understand that journalism is not a crime nor is it taboo. For decades now, the press in Liberia has been muzzled by successive regimes.
Over time, journalists have been severely intimidated, flogged, harassed and censored by state security for performing their reportorial duties. Yesteryear, some of them were even killed for publicizing factual information on critical issues while others were imprisoned at Belle Yalla.
It is time to institute a more collective action in order to protect Liberian journalists and ensure their overall safety. Article 15 of the Liberian Constitution guarantees press freedom and free speech. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration also guarantees media freedom. The Declaration of Windhoek signed in Namibia on May 3, 1991, promotes a free, independent and pluralistic media in Africa and worldwide.
We must use these laws to adequately enhance press freedom across Liberia. It is time for us to seize this moment and apply genuine effort in defending press freedom. The next generation of journalists must not suffer persecution.
About The Author: Martin K. N. Kollie is a Liberian youth activist, a student leader, an emerging economist and a young writer. He currently reads Economics with distinction at UL and is a loyal stalwart of the Student Unification Party (SUP). He can be reached at martinkerkula1989@yahoo.com
Photo by Cameron Zohoori/Together Liberia
