IPNews-Monrovia: The Press Union of Liberia (PUL), says it is conducting ongoing probe into circumstances leading to yesterday’s Court action against Roots FM Radio Station in Monrovia.
PUL in release late yesterday stated that it is in discussions with staff of the station and relevant State’s actors to find a way out in accordance with the rule of law.
The union maintains that the rule of law is the best recipe for good governance in sustaining Liberia’s growing democracy.
The PUL also vowed to ensure press freedom and free ventilation of the expression of ideas responsibly.
Meanwhile the press union of Liberia has reiterated calls for strict adherence to professional standards and societal norms by Media institutions and practitioners.
Additionally, the union said its attention has been drawn to persistent disregard to professional standards and societal norms by freedom FM Radio.
The PUL release signed by its President Charles Coffey, stated that despite several warnings, Freedom FM Radio owned by deputy National Security Agency-NSA, director Sam Sanyon is still broadcasting hate messages, using invectives and profanities on the radio.
The union believes such action by Freedom FM Radio has the propensity to create chaos in the country.
House after effecting the writ of search warrant, court sheriffs took away two speakers, tow ,CPU, desktop computer, two chairs, flat screen TV, two head-phones, speaker stamp, microphone, wires and other electronic materials contrary to the instruction given in the writ.
The purpose for the search, seizure and arrest warrant issued out
of the Monrovia city court, was for the discovery and seizure of
transmitters, keyboard, and mixers, microphones, headphones,
computers, stabilizers, cables, antennas (one bay-four-bay
amplifiers generators etc ) within the premises.
Solicitor General Symah Serena Cephus action to obtain a
search, seizure and arrest warrant from the court against the
management and staff of Roots FM allied with a communication
from the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA).
It may further be recalled, a leaked communication obtained between Justice Minister Frank Musah Dean, and the Board Chairman, Liberia Telecommunication Authority, LTA, Ivan G. Brown, requesting clearly the closure of Roots FM, owned and operated by popular talk show host Henry P. Costa.
The leaked letter, dated October 8, 2019, and addressed to Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, Minister and Attorney General, Republic of Liberia, notified Justice Minister , that some individuals and entities were operating radio stations in the country without a valid license and authorization from the Liberia Telecommunication Authority-LTA, in contravention of section 15 of the Telecommunication Act of 2007.
The Act provides that: ‘no person shall own or operate a telecommunications network used to provide a telecommunication service to the public for direct or indirect compensation, except under and in accordance with a license or an exemption order issued by the LTA.”
LTA Board chairman Brown, stated that during its harmonization process, it discovered frequencies occupied by those individuals / entities operating in the country were without valid license and deemed it necessary to bring it to the attention of the government of Liberia.
Board chairman Ivan Brown, further stated that the failure of the individuals and entities to obtain valid license and authorization and to pay for radio frequency authorization fee to the government of Liberia through the LTA is denying the government of its required revenue.
The leaked letter named frequencies as: 102.7; 102.5; and 102.1
It may be recorded, early Thursday morning, heavy riot occurred when Sheriffs of the Monrovia city court, backed by heavily armed officers of the Liberia National Police.
According to sources at the City Court, who bagged not to be named, the writ of ‘Search warrant’, was prepared late yesterday evening with Sheriff directed to execute early this morning.
In the writ of Search warrant issued by the City Court, a copy of which is in the possession of the Independent Probe Newspaper, read: you are hereby commanded to search from 0600hrs to 1800hrs in the premises of the Management of Roots FM (102.7), those acting under its control located in Monrovia.
“The purpose of this request is for the discovery and seizure of transmitters, clipboard, and mixers, microphones, headphones, computers, stabilizers, cables Antennas (one bay, four bay ), amplifiers , generators, , etc, which are believed to be in these premises. The writ of search and seizure warrant is based on the applications and oath of the Ministry of Justice.
“you are hereby commanded that upon the discovery of the items, to bring them before this honorable court in keeping with law and make your officials returns endorsed at the back of this writ as to the form and manner of service hereto”. The writ of search warrant stated.
Now, with this leaked letter, political pundits are asking why was only Roots FM shutdown when the LTA had requested the closure of three other radio stations for violating the 2007 Telecommunication Act.
Earlier this morning stone toughing battle engulf Ashum Street, where Roots FM is located between supporters of popular talk show host Henry Costa , and officers of the Liberia National Police, demanding the unconditional reopening of the station.
