liberia: Journalists attacked, displaced and living in fear

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_________________________________________________________________

ALERT AND UPDATE - LIBERIA

17 June 2003

Journalists attacked, displaced and living in fear

SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek

**New cases and update to IFEX alert on the McGill case of 6 June 2003**

**MISA and the Media Foundation of West Africa (MFWA), as a joint activity, will
henceforth issue alerts, statements and appeals to highlight media freedom and
wider human rights violations in West Africa. See www.misa.org and
www.mediafoundationwa.org for more information**

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is a joint MISA-MFWA alert:

Following the recent incursions into the capital, Monrovia, and subsequent
retreat of LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy) rebels,
residents of the Duala and New Kru Town suburbs have been subjected to a reign
of terror. The attacks are allegedly being perpetrated primarily by government
forces.

Journalists and human rights activists in Monrovia have suffered the worst
reprisals in what appears to be the targeted and systematic looting, arson and
rape of residents caught up in the conflict.

Independent journalist Lyndon Ponnie narrowly escaped death when armed men
attacked his home on 12 June 2003 and robbed him of all possessions. He now
spends nights at his office in central Monrovia. The whereabouts of his family
are unknown. Ponnie, who is the former editor of "The Concord Times" newspaper,
has been a constant victim of harassment and death threats for allegedly
embarking on a campaign to discredit President Charles Taylor's government. In
1999, "The Concord Times", relying on the auditor general's annual report,
published a series of articles that pointed to corruption in the government. The
paper was banned by Taylor's government in 2000.

Two investigative reporters of the independent newspaper "The News", Bobby
Tapson and Bill Jarkloh, as well as Joe Watson of the state-owned Liberia
Broadcasting System (LBS), were abducted on 12 June by the LURD rebels. They
were released almost one week later.

On 5 June, Stanley McGill, another reporter with "The News", was brutally
assaulted by armed men who also confiscated his laptop. One week before, on 27
May, he was attacked by three armed men wearing uniforms of the presidential
elite guard, the Anti Terrorist Unit (ATU). The men robbed him of his personal
effects, and left with a "promise" to "get back." He is currently in hiding.

The homes of journalists Philip Moore, editor-in-chief of "Independent"
newspaper, Charles Asumana, of "Inquirer" newspaper, and Kaba Williams have been
looted and set ablaze.

More than 25 journalists have been displaced by the fighting in Monrovia.
Several others are unable to locate family members, who have also been victims
of reprisals.

The mother of Patrick Wolokpor, a reporter with the independent newspaper
"Inquirer", was shot and killed by elements of the ATU when she protested the
killing of her dog by the soldiers.

Three nieces of Ishmael P. Campbell, human rights advocate and Liberia Bar
Association vice-president, were assaulted and sexually abused. His home was
looted, and he is reported to be in hiding.

The MFWA is deeply concerned about the safety of journalists and other media
workers in Liberia. The organisation urges the government and all fighting
forces to protect and guarantee the rights of journalists and innocent civilians
caught in the fighting, particularly women and children.

For further information, contact Zoe Titus, Program Coordinator, Media Freedom
Monitoring, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street, Mailing Address;
Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232 975, fax: +264 61 248 016,
e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected], Internet: http://www.misa.org,
or Kwame Karikari, Executive Director, Media Foundation for West Africa, P. O.
Box LG 730, Legon, Ghana, tel: 233 21 24 24 70, fax: +233 21 22 10 84, e-mail:
[email protected], Internet: http://www.mediafoundationwa.org

The information contained in this alert and update is the sole responsibility of
MISA. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
_________________________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
489 College Street, Suite 403, Toronto (ON) M6G 1A5 CANADA
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
alerts e-mail: [email protected] general e-mail: [email protected]
Internet site: http://www.ifex.org/
_________________________________________________________________