-Condemns Senator Prince Johnson Arab Spring Threat
The Press Union of Liberia has strongly criticized Senator and former warlord Prince Johnson for his recent remarks in which he threatened a popular uprising against the Weah-led Administration if there is any suspicion of election rigging in the upcoming 2023 Elections.
During a recent press conference held in Monrovia, Senator Johnson expressed his concerns about potential election interference by the ruling establishment. He went as far as to threaten the use of force on behalf of the people, declaring, “Before the October elections, Liberians are rallying under the banner ‘Don’t Try It.’ If, anyone attempts to subvert the will of the people, the citizens’ power will be exercised, reminiscent of the Arab Spring. Whether you shoot your gun, take lives, or meet your demise, there will be no more fear; Liberians will not be afraid anymore.”
With only 20 days remaining until the October 10 Presidential and General Elections, Senator Johnson, a prominent supporter of former Vice President Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party, continues to use provocative language that hints at the possibility of armed conflict, showing no remorse for the devastating loss of life during Liberia’s two civil wars.
In an official statement, the Press Union of Liberia has voiced significant apprehension regarding Senator Johnson’s remarks. These remarks have raised disquieting parallels with a prevailing narrative within the Unity Party, suggesting their determination to secure victory in the upcoming elections at any cost. While nobody desires election rigging, threatening the peace and stability of the country is entirely unacceptable, the PUL stressed.
The Press Union urged Boakai and his newfound allies to prioritize election integrity without resorting to actions that could jeopardize the country’s hard-won peace. The Union emphasized that reminding Liberians of the horrors of the war years, which the nation has been striving to recover from for the past two decades, is deeply troubling.
In the meantime, the Press Union of Liberia is calling on the Unity Party, led by former Vice President Boakai, to distance themselves from Senator Johnson’s dangerous rhetoric. Such statements have the potential to undermine the progress and stability that the country has worked so diligently to achieve over the past two decades.
The Press Union of Liberia is an organization dedicated to promoting press freedom, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring professional standards in the media industry of Liberia. The PUL strives to strengthen the media landscape, foster ethical journalism, and facilitate constructive engagement between media practitioners, government entities, and civil society.
PUL Speaks on Alarming Threats against Esteemed Member, Julius Jeh
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has also said that it is deeply concerned by the recent surge in threats directed at one of its esteemed members, Julius Jeh, a distinguished Talk Show host and journalist affiliated with OK FM.
In a communication received by the PUL today, Journalist Jeh alerted the Union to the escalating threats he has faced in the aftermath of his analysis concerning the unannounced travel of the Unity Party’s Presidential Candidate to Ghana, along with concerns related to the transparency surrounding this matter. Mr. Jeh’s analysis primarily focused on issues related to the health of Ambassador Boakai and the apparent sourcing of campaign funding from foreign donors, in accordance with the Liberian Constitution’s prohibition on foreign financing of election campaigns.
Mr. Jeh, who also serves as a Talk Show host, additionally reported his analysis of a leaked tape featuring Nimba County Senator, Prince Johnson, who encouraged the people of his native region to seize the moment, citing Unity Party Standard bearer Joseph Boakai’s age and the possibility of his passing away.
The Press Union of Liberia expresses deep concern that, subsequent to these analyses, the “OK Afternoon Conversation” show hosted by Mr. Jeh live Facebook feed has been inundated with a barrage of threatening comments targeting his personal safety. Threats from opposition supporters were also posted on Facebook. The Union further notes that the most recent threats appear to originate from opposition politicians and certain political parties directed at Jeh.
It is noteworthy that Representative Yekeh Korlubah of the opposition has previously held multiple press conferences in which he engaged in insults and threats against Journalist Jeh, in response to Jeh’s critique of statements that had the potential to undermine the country’s peace.
In light of these troubling developments, the Press Union of Liberia calls upon the Unity Party and other opposition political entities to launch a thorough investigation into the reported threats against Journalist Jeh. The Union underscores that tolerance is a fundamental cornerstone of any democratic society, and it is imperative that these concerned political leaders take decisive steps to resolve this impasse while also educating their supporters about the importance of upholding this core democratic value.
The Press Union of Liberia remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the rights and safety of journalists across the nation. We appeal for an expeditious resolution of this matter to ensure the protection of Journalist Jeh.
PUL Frowns on Unity Party Rally Coverage Results in Journalist Injury
Meanwhile, in a significant development on September 13, 2023, a Unity Party (UP) rally in Robertsports, Grand Cape County, resulted in an injury to a journalist from a team representing online television stations after coverage of the UP rally in Robertsports.
Among the journalists present at the scene was Jasper Andrews, a reporter from Top TV, who was covering the UP rally. Following the rally’s conclusion, these journalists encountered a common challenge – arranging transportation back to Monrovia. Andrews and his colleagues approached Mo Ali, Spokesman of the Unity Party Campaign, to request transport fare back to Monrovia. In response, they were informed that they were not invited, and Mo Ali was only responsible for Kool FM and Spoon TV. This response may have upset the journalists, leading some to sit on the wooden bed of a vehicle owned by Mo Ali, while others gathered around the car. They insisted on receiving transportation fare to return to Monrovia, despite not being invited by the Unity Party.
According to a press release, even with the presence of an officer from the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Liberia Immigration Service, the journalists remained determined not to allow Mo Ali to leave Robertsports. They forcefully struck Mo’s vehicle, causing the side mirror to shatter. At this crucial juncture, the spokesperson of the opposition Unity Party (UP) made a critical decision. He instructed his driver to leave the location, which resulted in a collision with and the dragging of Journalist Jasper Andrews from Top Television. This unfortunate incident led to injuries sustained by Andrews, including bruises to both his knees and upper body.
The Press Union of Liberia stated that the decision to move the vehicle was not well-considered and appeared emotional, resulting in a person being injured. The Union emphasized that there is no valid reason to drive a car in a populated area, especially one with journalists and security officers.
This incident serves as a distressing reminder of the challenges faced by journalists in the field, underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures and cooperation between political parties and the press during these elections, as highlighted by the Union. Journalists should refrain from attending political rallies without prior invitations and without arranging for transportation as their initial security measure when covering campaign activities out of Monrovia, the Union indicated.
The Press Union of Liberia expresses deep concern over this incident and wishes Journalist Jasper Andrews a swift recovery. The Union underscores the importance of maintaining a secure and collaborative environment for journalists who play a vital role in our democratic society.
