MONROVIA — As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, Liberia’s Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP) has raised alarm over what it describes as a deteriorating climate for free expression and press freedom under the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
In a strongly worded statement issued Friday, CEMESP joined national and international actors in observing the global day under the theme “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.” But the group said the local reality in Liberia is one of fear, impunity, and institutional failure in protecting journalists and independent media voices.
“Despite the democratic promises made by the current government, several incidents have underscored the fragility of media freedom in Liberia,” the statement said.
CEMESP cited a wave of violent incidents, threats, and intimidation targeting journalists across the country. Among the cases highlighted was the February 2025 summoning and questioning of Hot Pepper publisher Philibert Browne by the National Security Agency over a story alleging corruption within the Boakai administration.
The group also referenced the November 2024 assault on FrontPage Africa reporter Franklin Doloquee in Nimba County. Doloquee was attacked by alleged supporters of a local official after publishing a report on public funds mismanagement. No arrests have been made in connection with the case.
In another example, CEMESP pointed to the September 2024 vandalism of Spoon Network’s offices following critical reporting on government inefficiencies. The Liberia National Police, the group said, failed to conduct a credible investigation, reinforcing concerns about state complicity or negligence in shielding press aggressors.
“These and other incidents form part of a growing pattern of repression that threatens to undermine Liberia’s democratic gains,” said Malcolm W. Joseph, Executive Director of CEMESP. “They also erode public trust in the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.”
While condemning the attacks, CEMESP acknowledged what it termed “modest gains,” including stronger collaboration between civil society and media stakeholders on journalist safety and the reactivation of media law reform discussions. The group also praised the enduring resilience of Liberia’s community radio stations, which it described as “key pillars of access to information for the Liberian people.”
But Joseph said these gains remain fragile and insufficient unless backed by strong political will. To that end, CEMESP issued a list of urgent recommendations to the Boakai administration.
These include guaranteeing journalist safety, ensuring impartial investigations of attacks, and reforming the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) into a genuine public service broadcaster.
The media advocacy group also called on lawmakers to fast-track three major pieces of legislation:
– The Independent Media Commission Bill,
– The Community Radio Sustainability Bill, and
– The Data Protection Bill.
“These actions are vital not only to Liberia’s democratic credentials but also to addressing the broader theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day,” the statement said.
The global theme emphasizes journalism’s role in confronting environmental degradation, pollution, and climate change. CEMESP said this mission cannot succeed unless the press is protected and allowed to operate freely.
“As Liberia stands at a crossroads, we remind all stakeholders—especially those in government—that democracy thrives where the press is free, independent, and empowered to speak truth to power without fear,” the group said.
World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3 to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, evaluate press freedom around the world, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
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