IPNews-Monrovia:

The society for Liberian Journalist-SLJ, says recent show of the President of the Press Union of Liberia at a rush Press Press Conference hosted by the government of Liberia, was a ‘betrayal of the first order’ for the rights, safety and protection of the Liberian Media.

The Executive Director of the SLJ Octavin Williams, in exclusive interview with IPNews stated that claims by the Liberian National Police that Journalist Chris Davis died at the result of stealing a ‘Goat’, from an alleged farmer without conducting an autopsy on the lifeless body of Journalist Davis is totally unacceptable.

The SLJ strong man Octavin Williams stated that there are more questions to answer surrounding the mysterious dead of Journalist Chris Davis other than a mere confession by an alleged killer that the pairs were in constant hobbit of stealing his goat when the dead body of the late Journalist was found miles away from the crime scene.

‘For once let’s call spade a spade. The attendance of the PUL president Charles Coffee at such a Press Conference to validate a accusation without proper investigation undermines the trust and confidence of the Liberian media.”

” This profession is a Nobel one and we will not accept a blanket claim by the LNP and the PUL that our colleague died while attempting to steal a Goat. Besides, there is no proof of track record of public stealing or public disorder of our late colleague Chris Davies” Octavin Williams insisted.

For the outcome of the police investigation, Mr. Williams stated that Police declaration of journalist Chris Davis’ passing as a petty criminal is classic dishonor to the memory of a journalist who worked for a religious media entity, telling the life stories of people living on the margins of society, the Society of Liberian Journalist has said. Chris Davis is no more with us to give his account of what happened on that fatal day. Thus the “goat stealing” story as told by the police is for the amusement of the police and does not fly with the SLJ.

The Society of Liberian Journalists (SLJ) is calling for the speedy prosecution of a man who admitted to killing Journalist Chris Davis.

“Killing is not justification of any crime, the media advocacy group stated. SLJ is disappointed that the authorities have failed to charge and send to court Davis’ killer, more than 72 hours after the murderer was identified. ”

“While we welcome his arrest, the SLJ concerns itself with a speedy and fair judicial process that will deliver justice to our deceased colleague. The SLJ says it remembers vividly how journalist Darlington Pelenah was linked to armed robbery by the same Police and had to fight the matter in court which later turned out to be untrue.” Mr. Williams narrated.

It may be recalled the Press Union of Liberia ( PUL) in a release on Friday, November 6, 2020, stated that the arrest of the suspected killer of Journalist Chris David by the Liberia National Police ( LNP) is a step forward in according justice.

The Union stated that it wants the Liberia National Police to conclude the investigation and forward the suspects to court.

“The Union believes in the rule of law and vowed to continue its engagement with relevant institutions and individuals until the matter is fully concluded in a competent court of jurisdiction.”

“The Press Union of Liberia explained that only a court of competent jurisdiction can determine facts surrounding the alleged killing of the Journalist.” A PUL release noted.

Besides, the Union is incline to note that even defense of property can not be used as a defense for murder in the instance case when the accused was already escaping from the scene of the incident as stated by the accused.

The Press Union of Liberia is therefore calling on the public to remain calm as the Union works in seeking justice.

Musa MB Kenneh
Secretary General
Press Union of Liberia
0886425514/0776783180
kennehmusamb86@gmail.com