IPNEWS: United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael McCarthy, has hailed the performance of the Supreme Court of Liberia, for its recent decisiveness ruling in an impartial judgment that solidifies press freedom.
Amb. Michael McCarthy, speaking at a news conference recently at the US Embassy near Monrovia, the US envoy commended the Supreme Court of Liberia for the September 26th ruling in favor of One Media Incorporated, the parent company of Punch FM radio station, which allows the radio station to finally begin operations after having applied for a broadcasting license in June 2018.
The U.S. Diplomat pointed out that the US government sees the ruling as a win for free speech and press freedom in Liberia, and a demonstration of judicial independence.
“I would like to commend the Supreme Court of Liberia for the September 26th ruling in favor of One Media Incorporated, the parent company of Punch FM radio station, which allows the radio station to finally begin operations after having applied for a broadcasting license in June 2018,” stated the US diplomat.
“Despite meeting media licensing requirements under the law in 2018, Punch FM had to go through a number of legal challenges to be allowed to air. Now, following a series of appeals from both One Media Incorporated and the Liberian government, Punch FM can begin to broadcast. This is a win for free speech and press freedom in Liberia, and a demonstration of judicial independence,” he noted.
Commenting on other issues of national concern, Amb. McCarthy called Liberians to stand ready to be counted in the ongoing National Housing and Population Census, which officially kicked off last week.
According to him, the census is an important, non-political action required in the constitution that all well-meaning Liberians should honor, and as such, opposition politicians should now begin to encourage their supporters to prepare for the process.
“Opposition leaders should ask their supporters not to disrupt the census,” he stated.
At the same time, the Government of the United States of America (USA) has warned against doing business with former and current officials of the Liberian government sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act.
It can be recalled that the US government’s Treasury Department’s Global Magnitsky in mid-August sanctioned three former Liberian government officials including: Mr. Nathaniel McGill; former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Bill Twehway; former Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) and Cllr. Syrenius Cephus; former Solicitor General of Liberia for their alleged role in massive corruption. Nimba County Senator Prince Yormie Johnson alias “PYJ” and Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Varney N. Sherman were also sanctioned two years ago under the Global Magnitsky.
Ambassador Michael McCarthy pointed out that persons that engage in certain transactions with these sanctioned individuals may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to an enforcement action.
“I also want to note that it was three months ago, almost to the day, that I announced to you in this room the Treasury Department’s Global Magnitsky sanctions of Nathaniel McGill, Bill Twehway, and Syrenius Cephus. I think it’s important to draw our attention back to the Treasury Department’s statement,
specifically its notification that persons that engage in certain transactions with these sanctioned individuals “may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to an enforcement action,” said the US envoy.
“Furthermore, unless an exception applies, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant transaction for any of the individuals or entities could be subject to U.S. sanctions.” This applies not only to those who transact with these three individuals, but also with the other two individuals sanctioned under Global Magnitsky in recent years: Senator Prince Y. Johnson and Senator Varney Sherman,” Amb. McCarthy noted.
There has been mixed public reactions since the US government’s decision, especially as it relates to its latest decision on the three sanctioned former government officials with some asserting that the accused individuals need to be given their time in a court of competent jurisdiction to personal defense.
Amb. McCarthy indicated that the issue at hands isn’t only a court issue, because the alleged acts of the individuals have reached a level of corruption and disruption in the country’s democratic process.
At the same time, Amb. McCarthy has termed as false and mere rumor, information that has circulated in some quarters that the U.S. currency being recalled from the world market.
“Regarding a story that was going around last week regarding U.S. currency being recalled – this is a rumor that sometimes makes the rounds and is completely false. The United States Treasury has always stressed that despite new designs in our currency, the old bills in circulation remain legal tender. As they announced when they released new $100 bills in 2011, “U.S. currency users should know they will not have to trade in their older design $100 notes when the new ones begin circulating,” he clarified.
Meanwhile, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs,
Elizabeth Trudeau, says Liberia remains an important partner and friend to the US, and as such, she wants Liberians to lead the pathway for a better Liberia.
“Liberia’s future is up to Liberians – the way the future is shifted is determined by the people,” she noted.
In the regard of having a positive future and a better Liberia, the U.S. Government official wants the Liberian media to play critical role, as they are not only the citizens’ voice, but their eyes and ears.
