IPNEWS: The government of Liberia on today Friday, May 21, 2021, warned the managements of Sky Communications and Radio Bushrod (D15 Radio) against relaying in the future the broadcast of Mr. Henry Costa, who is currently a fugitive from Liberian justice.
The government of Liberia warning was given by Information Minister Ledgerhood J. Rennie, during a meeting intended to discuss Sky Communucations and D-15’s decision to broadcast a program of Henry Costa against the expressed interdiction of the government of Liberia.
Friday’s Press briefing was attended by the Acting Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Edwina Zackpa, Solicitor General Syrrenius Cyphus, the President of the Press Union of Liberia Charles Coffey, and the House of Representatives’ Committee Chair on Information, Representative Ivar K. Jones. Sky FM was represented T-Max Jilateh, while D-I5’s Beatrice Sieh ran late.
Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie frowned on what he called the “abuse of the airwaves”, while emphasizing that radio owners ought to abide by the guidelines set by MICAT and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority. He said although the government believes in freedom of speech and a free press, it will not hesitate in the strict enforcement of the laws of Liberia.
Minister Rennie warned the management of both stations, and all others, against repeating the infraction or risk the revocation of their permits.
“Costa as a fugitive can not be broadcasting to Liberian audience while out of the country and outside its jurisprudence. ”
“How does a person seek redress if he feels injured,” the Minister asked rhetorically.
For his part, Liberia’s Solicitor General, Syrrenius Cyphus, stressed during the discussion that the government was more concerned about national security than it was about content.
Minister Cyphus cited the November 3, 2019 incident when Henry Costa used his media outlet to direct people to engage in acts that broke the law.
He revealed that because of the broadcast, there is a pending litigation against Mr. Costa. The SG explained that there are.
Also speaking was PUL President Charles Coffee, who reiterated the adherence to full ethical standards as provided by code of ethic for all Journalist.
Mr. Coffee maintained that Mr. Henry Costa is not a Journalist but rather political Commutator who should not be allow to enjoy the prilivilage of the media space.
“We’ve come here today as part of a delegation accompanying two institutions union the Press Union of Liberia, and not Mr. Henry Costa. We are of the opinion that as a political commutator Mr. Costa should muster the for fortitude to adhere to judicial precepts by law, if there a sufficient reasons to believe he has broken the law.”
“We encourage all our members to continued the adherence to the code of ethics and rule of law. At the same time the PUL calls on the government of Liberia to exercise restraint and continue on the path of collaboration with the media rather than revocation of licenses are indicated. ” Mr. Coffee averred.
It may be recalled, Mr. Henry Costa via Facebook live screening, hosted former Sierra Leone Chief Investigator Dr. Allen White, which was also summer-cast on Sky FM, D-15 and another unnamed community Radio station in Mong County.
During the broadcast, Dr. Allen White among other things rubbished
assertions by warlords and supporters that the establishment of War and Economic Crimes court in Liberia, will further sink Liberia back into violence.
Dr. White stated that the ‘rule of law is much more powerful then the barrel of the gun’, and nothing should swain Liberians away from ensuring that those bearing the greatest responsibility of unwarranted killings, the destruction of the country’s fabric and stealing of the wealth of the country account for their deliberate acts.
Speaking on the special edition of the Costa show late Thursday evening, May 20,2021, Dr. White encouraged Liberians to remain focus on their request for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes court as the best options for a stable Liberia, and ensuring accountability in the public sector.
The former Sierra Leone War Crimes investigator, called on Liberians to demand the enactment of recommendations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), genuinely established by the people of Liberia through the Accra Comprehensive Peace Accord.
Dr. White stated that the implementation of the TRC recommendations would put an end to unwarranted acts of murders and economic crimes in Liberia.
“The success of Liberia growth is up to the people of Liberia to demand what they demanded during the Accra, Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) by ensuring the TRC recommendations are fully enacted.” Dr. Alan White stated.
Recounting his experience from setting up of the Sierra Leone Wars crimes court, Dr. White stated there is no need for Liberians to be afraid in bringing perpetrators to justice for War and Economic crimes.
“We were told repeatedly that as soon as we started our quest for prosecution in Sierra Leone, that would have plush the country back into crisis.”
“I remember the Civil Defense leader Hinka Norman, who had a little over ten thousand rebel fighters, including head of the internal security of Sierra Leone, who had complete control of the entire security apparatus, such as the Army, Police, intelligence and the Immigration, including all of those you think would be there if we persuaded him. But you wouldn’t imagine, on March 10th, 2003, when I launch operations ‘Justice’ and arrested everyone, especially Hinka Norman, and thirteen others in the Public, the people got the news and begun dancing in the streets of Sierra Leone. i mean nobody came to his defense.” Dr. Alan White narrated the episode of operations Justice in neighboring Sierra Leone.
On the issue of whether the international community would accept the establishment of the War and Economic crimes Court led by the current government of President George Manneh Weah, Dr. Allen White, stated that ‘given the demonstrated performance of the government over the last three years does not show that the Weah’s government is serious for establishing the War crimes court.
He recounted memories of September 2019, of President George Weah’s address to the United Nations General Assembly for over 20mins calling for assistance, but upon arrival to Monrovia, he give contrary statements to the Liberian media.
“Look this will be my suggestion: The TRC act thus recognizes the establishment of a War crimes court; it also requires the government to not only support it but to set it up, including harnessing other international support.”
“So than, I will use the Sierra Leone experience model because in my opinion that’s what needs to be done in Liberia. What President Kabba did was to send a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations expressing support for the War crimes court because he knew he never had the capacity and the funding, so than, the Secretary General in concert with other members agreed to support that.”
“So to avoid the issue of conflict of interest and mitigate corruption, it was agreed that this court would be an international court, that would have both international and national jurisdiction, including staff by international to avoid corruption, mitigate conflict of interest and ensure its done transparently. “
“I would suggest that President Weah immediately send a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations requesting that the court is established, including necessary funding, and other support that may include security. Dr. White cautioned.
On the management of the War Crimes court, Dr. White recommended that in consideration of Liberia’s current standing on the corruption index, that no member of the Weah’s administration formed part of the composition of the Liberia’s version of the War crimes court.
He said the court would need a member from the civil society with immense credibility, legal background that would interact with the international community.
Dr. White furthermore proposed that the statute for the establishment of War Crimes court, be determined by signing of a treaty between the government of Liberia and the United Nations on allowing the United Nation makes appointment of staff such as: ‘Prosecutor, Registrar, members of the trial chambers and on the appeals Court’.
“This will ease the pressure on anybody inside the country for collusion, corruption, threat, bribery, and any other concerns that can happen in cautioning the integrity of the court.”
“The president needs to start this, or the Legislature that report for the people to immediately enact this and send to the president. However, there has to be modification made to the Economic Crimes and War Crimes Court statue, that will either be signed by the president or if he vito it, the Legislature can override the president. But both the House and the Senate need to hear from their people.” Dr. White recommended.
