Liberia: NSA Boss’ Guards Humiliate FPA Journalist at Fire Scene

Paynesville – Another journalist working with FrontPage Africa was on Sunday subjected to humiliation while performing his professional duties.

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By Jaheim Tumu

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The incident, which drew widespread condemnation from community residents, occurred at the home of the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA), Mr. Prince C. Johnson, III, whose residence was gutted by fire. 

According to journalist Emmanuel M. Weedee-Conway, he was physically attacked by men identified as security guards of the NSA boss, along with some officers of the Liberia National Police who were present at the scene. During the altercation, the FPA reporter’s phone was seized, and he was forced to delete all photos and videos captured.

Eyewitnesses also disclosed that the journalist was not only physically assaulted but was also verbally abused and publicly humiliated.

The security personnel reportedly argued that the incident occurred at the private residence of the NSA Director and, as such, media coverage was prohibited. Journalist Weedee-Conway, however, defended his presence at the scene, insisting that he was acting in the public’s interest in line with his journalistic duty—particularly because the incident involved a high-profile public official.

The episode has sparked criticism from the management of FrontPage Africa, which sees it as part of a growing climate of hostility toward the paper. This marks the second attack on its journalists within just one week.

Only days ago, Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah allegedly assaulted FPA’s Nimba County correspondent, D. Franklin Doloquee, and confiscated his phone during a press engagement at Superintendent Kou Meapeah Gono’s compound.

“This is unacceptable. No journalist should be humiliated simply for doing their job. We are not going to take this lightly. We will report this to the Press Union of Liberia and even pursue it further,” said Gerald Koinyeneh, FPA Newsroom Chief.

Director Johnson was reportedly out of the country when the incident occurred.

District #4 Lawmaker Defends Attack on Journalist

In a move that shocked many, Montserrado County District #4 Representative, Michael Thomas, publicly defended the actions of the security forces against the journalist.

Rep. Thomas, who many say displayed ignorance of the role and responsibilities of the media, argued that the NSA Director is a “security man” and not a politician, and therefore should not be subject to media coverage.

“I know that you came to perform your duty, but there is one thing that you must know: that man is not a politician like us, wherein you have freedom to cover everything about us. That man is a security man, and so issues about him are strictly security matters,” said Rep. Thomas, who claims to be a qualified lawyer.