MONROVIA – The Citizens Action Movement (CAM), a Liberian civil society group, is urging citizens to boycott DStv Liberia, accusing businessman Simeon Freeman of exploiting consumers through inflated subscription fees and monopolistic control of televised content in the country.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
In a statement released Monday, CAM said Liberians have endured over 20 years of overpriced and underwhelming services from DStv Liberia, operated by Freeman, while facing far higher subscription costs than consumers in neighboring countries like Nigeria.
CAM’s statement compared the Premium Package for DStv in Nigeria —approximately $27 per month — to Liberia’s $91 for the same package, calling the disparity “economic injustice.” Other packages, including Compact Plus and Family, also show significant price gaps between Liberia and Nigeria.
“The people of Liberia have been suffering in the hands of Simeon Freeman and his DStv high subscription fees until SATCOM came to our aid,” CAM stated, referring to a rival service that has recently begun offering local and international content at lower prices. CAM credited SATCOM with disrupting Freeman’s alleged monopoly and giving consumers an affordable alternative.
The group also accused Freeman of using his political influence to undermine SATCOM’s operations in a bid to protect his business interests. “He wants SATCOM to end services already paid for, just so he can continue to enrich himself,” CAM charged.
While Freeman and DStv Liberia have yet to respond publicly, the civil society group’s call for a national boycott has ignited public debate around media access and affordability in Liberia.
“We urge the public to boycott DStv Liberia until the government can address this criminal act,” CAM concluded, urging state intervention to address what it described as “economic exploitation and political sabotage.”