Monrovia – Issues of freedom of the press and free speech continue to face obstacles in Liberia despite Liberia signing the Table Mountain declaration and other international instruments that support freedom of expression.
Lawsuits against journalists and media institutions continue to be on the increase and what is seen as attempts to muzzle free press are taking place under a regime that is boasting of press freedom and free speech as one of its major achievements.
In early July, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) by and thru the Ministry of Justice shut down the Voice FM Radio Station owned and operated by political commentator Henry Costa without to closure order from the court.
Costa who was residing in the United States at the time of closure announced that he was returning to Liberia to fight for freedom and ensure the reopening of the radio station which many Liberians believe is fearless on reporting issues of corruption and other negative vices in the Liberian society.
Some doubted that Costa would return to a country where there is high level of resentments by those at the helm of power against his talk show, the Costa Show but the commentator arrived home amid rapturous welcome from some Liberians who gathered at the Roberts International Airport to welcome him back home.
I come in peace
When Costa announced that he was on his way to Liberia, it was predicted by some that his action could lead to his arrest but he declared that his return was peaceful.
“To those who think that I came home to make trouble, I say unto you, worry not, for I come in peace”, Costa stated upon return.
Supporters of Costa gathered on main streets a day after his return knowing where they marched to the United States Embassy and presented a statement calling on the US government to pressure the Government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in ensuring freedom of press and free speech in Liberia.
Costa has vowed that he will continue to push for freedom of press and free speech in Liberia until the government can provide the free space for people to express their views freely.
He is describing the process as a long journey to freedom but has vowed to ensure that his advocacy becomes a success.
Several Liberians have been expressing support to Costa since his return to the country as many turned out in their numbers to support Costa.
Some Liberian lawyers have also pledged support to Costa to also use the legal process in getting Voice FM back on the air.
The LTA is claiming that Voice FM does not have valid license to operate as a radio station in Liberia.
The LTA thru the Justice Ministry further stated in its petition that at no time did it authorized the transfer of Liberia Web Radio License to Voice FM 102.7 neither did it issue a license to Voice FM 102.7
“Wherefore and in in-view of the foregoing petitioner prays your honor for the insurance of the writ of preliminary injunction against the respondent to prohibit refrain and enjoin” stated the petitioner’s petition filed on July 4, 2016.
Injunction, seizure simultaneously
In a writ of Preliminary Injunction served on the same Monday morning the station was shut down, the writ ordered the station to refrain from further broadcasting while at the same time ordering the seizure of all accessories belonging to the station.
“You are hereby commanded to enjoin, retrain and prohibit the above-named Respondents from further engaging in broadcasting on the frequency 102.7 F.M. the Sheriff is ordered to also take possession and custody of any equipment and/or accessories used by the Respondent for the purpose of broadcasting pending the final determination of the petition for Declaratory Judgment out of which this Petition grows until otherwise ordered by this Court”, the preliminary writ of injunction stated.
This is not the first time Costa is facing such situation as he has been arrested and put to prison in the past.
While Costa has many admirers some believe is too abuse on his early morning talk show. Critics of Coast say he at sometimes engaged in discussing the personal lives of individuals.