MONROVIA- The Government of Liberia has clarified that it is not a party to the lawsuit brought against the Management of the Spoon Network, which on Friday, July 14 resulted in the closure of the station’s premises in Monrovia.
By: Selma Lomax, [email protected]
The GoL said it understands that the suit was instead filed months ago by Mr Wilmont Smith, a private citizen of the country, who once served as Deputy Director General for Information Coordination at LISGIS.
Mr Smith stated in his lawsuit that following his dismissal from the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-information Services for Administrative Reasons by President George M. Weah, the station used its network to defame his reputation, characterizing him as a “Criminal”.
The case involving the two parties was brought before the court and has been ongoing for several months.
A writ was issued against the Spoon FM’s Management and its owner, Mr Stanton Witherspoon, on Friday morning, July 14, 2023.
The Government of Liberia re-emphasizes that it respects the right to freedom of speech and of the press as it has always demonstrated, but is also cognizant of the fact that an individual feeling injured by the work of a media entity also has the right to seek redress under the laws of Liberia .
The courts, which are an integral part of the Judicial Branch of the Government, are independent of the Executive Branch, which has got no part in this private legal saga.
Meanwhile, the government is appalled by the irresponsible attempt of the standard bearer of the opposition Unity Party to score political capital out of a routine legal matter.
The Weah- led Administration press freedom record remains enviable, which has been repeatedly attested to by all international partners, including outgoing U.S. Ambassador Michael McCarthy.
Attempts by the UP Standard Bearer and others to link the government to this purely private legal matter are simply ridiculous, to say the least.
Meanwhile, the standard bearer of Unity Party, Joseph Boakai, of suppressing the independent press through kakistocratic means.
According to the former vice president, Friday’s assault on the Spoon Network which includes Spoon FM, Farbric FM, Super FM and their online TVs which was forcefully shut down this morning due to the government of Liberia’s inability to tolerate dissenting opinions. Meanwhile, pro-regime media outlets known for spreading hate messages are given free rein.
“Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated one, as Punch FM and Roots FM have also experienced similar attacks. These media organizations, dedicated to maintaining their independence, have steadfastly refused to yield to the coercive demands of the Weah government. It is crucial that this relentless assault on press freedom comes to an end since an independent press serves as a cornerstone of a thriving democracy.”
“We have no doubt the judiciary also upholds its independence and resist being used as a mere pawn in this political chess game. When the institution entrusted with the responsibility of impartial arbitration, the very essence of justice, allows itself to be manipulated for political gain, it undermines the fundamental rights of citizens. Such actions perpetuate a toxic democratic atmosphere, eroding the principles that underpin a well-functioning society.”