– No Evidence of Training at Former President Samuel K. Doe’s Palace in Grand Gedeh
IPNEWS: On early Saturday morning, September 17, 2022, Liberians woke up to be greeted by a video that had gone viral on social media and narrating activities of ‘planned activities’ to rig the pending 2023 presidential and legislative elections by the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)-led government of President George Weah.
In the video, a Caucasian male presenter quoting the international community narrated that a plot had been uncovered that the governing CDC-led Administration of President George Weah was massively preparing to rig ‘Elections 2023’.
The video not only cast aspersions on the country’s enviable electoral system – which has gained much international acclaim recently – it also dangerously posited that the government is bringing in the country nefarious elements from terrorists and other bad groups intended to create violence.
In a quick rebuke of the video, Justice Minister and Chair of the Cabinet, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean said, it is very wrong, and the video could potentially damage the country’s stability and international reputation.
GOL, Int’l Community and Massive Local Condemnation of the ‘Fake Video’
Few minutes after the posting of the video on social media, the Minister of Justice issued a public statement in which the Government of Liberia condemned the video in its strongest term a ‘fake propaganda video’ circulated early Saturday on social media. The government said the video tried to spew misinformation, disinformation and fallacies about a plan plot to rig the 2023 elections.
Minister Dean stated that the video is fake and should be condemned by all Liberians.
The Minister in a social media post stated that no desperation should lead anyone to spread such hateful and ‘fake propaganda’. He called on all to desist from spreading such ‘fake video’ as it is dangerous to the national security of the state.
Early Saturday, the purported video linking the government to a secret plan to target its opponent was circulated on social media sparking uncertainties across the city.
In the same vein, Liberia’s International Partners have disassociated itself from a video circulated on social media early Saturday.
In a joint statement, the International Community stated that a social media piece recently circulated referring to the International Community, is fake and has no connection to the global community.
“The International Community in Liberia wishes to state categorically that the statements contained in the piece have no connection with the International Community in Liberia nor are we aware of any basis for any allegation contained in this piece.”
“We strongly condemn any attempt to link the International Community with these allegations which could threaten and undermine national security. We stress that those responsible must be held accountable.”
“We once again remind all political and media stakeholders of their responsibility to refrain from hate speech, disinformation, and violence especially in the run-up to the 2023 elections.” The International Community statement read.
The International Community in Liberia, further reaffirm its continued commitment to peace and stability in Liberia.
Earlier on Saturday, Justice Minister Dean called on the international Community to condemn the fake video-terming it as dangerous.
Minister Dean cautioned citizens to refrain from spreading such dangerous video which undermines the national security of the statement.
Also, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) vehemently condemned ‘a fake news video’ about Liberia on social media. PUL, President Charles B. Coffey Jr, termed the video on social media, relating to the state of affairs of Liberia’s security as fake, horrible intentionally, and verifiably false.
Mr Coffey said such fake news is designed to manipulate people’s perceptions of real facts of peace and stability in Liberia.
He said the content of the video is known by its promoter to be false based on facts that are demonstrably incorrect or situations that verifiably did not happen.
According to Mr Coffey, the content is fabricated information that mimics news media content in form but…lacks the news media’s editorial norms and processes for ensuring the accuracy and credibility of information.
It overlaps with misinformation (false or misleading information) and disinformation (false information purposely spread to mislead people).
Meanwhile, the PUL president is urging media institutions and individual journalists to watch out for fake news stories by unscrupulous individuals who want to use the media to cause havoc and panic among Liberians.
Mr Coffey is further calling on the media to counter the fake news and educate the public. He said the peace and stability being experienced in Liberia must be maintained and cautioned against all acts that have the propensity to undermine the peace, security, and stability of the country.
At the same time, Mr Charles B Coffey Jr is urging the media to be conflict-sensitive and always exercise a high degree of professionalism.
Meanwhile, the PUL President is commanding the media for handling the fake video with caution and in line with professional standards. He wants the media to always double-check facts or information before publication. He lauded the Liberian government, the international community, the religious community various grouping, and the Liberian media for timely countering the misinformation.
On his part, the Liberia Council of Churches President, Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Reeves, also joined calls condemning a fake dangerous video circulated on social media, early Saturday morning.
Rev. Dr. Reeves called on media practitioners to be mindful of the revolution of technology and desist from spreading fake news.
The Council of Churches furthermore stated that fake news has become the order of the day and cautioned Liberian media to always seek the facts before publication or broadcast.
“This video content must be condemned by all. Liberia has come a long way in building a firm democracy and nothing should lead us to the past. We like to remind our media colleagues to ensure the ABC of journalism and refrain from allowing just anything within their newsrooms.”
“Liberia is all we have, and the media will continue to play its part in the socio-economic space to ensure that Democracy is preserved.”
The Council of Churches further warned against negative news that has the inclination to promote insecurity and derail the much-earned peace and unity.
No Evidence of Training at Doe Palace, In Grand Gedeh County
At the same time, Grand Gedeh County, Superintendent, Kai Farley, at the head of a joint security team, the Civil Society, along with Journalist in Grand Gedeh County, visited the home of the Late Liberian President Samuel K. Doe and discovered no trace of training or military activities in Grand Gedeh County.
Superintendent Farley, during the guarded tour told Journalists that decision to visit the site along with Journalists was to independently verify a purported video circulating of training of mercenaries and other dangerous activities at the presidential palace to eliminate targeted opposition figures during the forthcoming general Legislative and Presidential Elections in 2023.
Superintendent, Kai Farley, told journalists that the purported video is grave and called on Liberians at home and abroad to remain calm, as the video is nothing but lies and dangerous propaganda.
Media institutions, including civil society and religious Leaders were part of the visit at the palace of former president Samuel K. Doe.
On September 17, 2022: The attention of the government was drawn to a malicious video that being circulated on social media, which makes erroneous and incendiary claims about the state of affairs in the country.
While the recent uptick in political activities ahead of general and presidential elections is understandable, “no amount of desperation should lead us to toy with our security”, the Acting Chair of the Cabinet, Justice Minister Frank Musa Dean has said.
He warned that engaging in false news with a clear intent to incite and create agitation in the general population is against the law; and therefore, anyone found fermenting or sponsoring activities intended to create chaos could face the full weight of the law.
The video not only cast aspersions on our enviable electoral system – which has gained much international acclaim recently – it also dangerously posited that the government is bringing in the country nefarious elements intended to create violence.
This, the Minister said, is very wrong, and could potentially damage the country’s stability and international reputation.
The Justice Minister therefore engaged Liberia’s international partners, including the heads of the Embassies of the U.S. and European Union, calling on them to vehemently condemn the dangerous and insightful ploy which seeks to undermine Liberia’s hard-earned peace.
He said the onus was upon the international community to debunk this creeping menace as the particular video in question directly alleges that it was, they [the international Community] who uncovered a plot.
The government of Liberia has therefore made it absolutely clear that it will leave no stone unturned in its determination to protect the country’s peace and security.
