Monrovia, Liberia, February 27, 2018:  Journalist Austin Kawah of Prime Communication Network Inc. (Prime 105.5) filed a complaint against Honorable Nyonblee Karngar- Lawrence, Senator of Grand Bassa County, Liberia.

In the letter of complaint dated February 27, 2018, Kawah alleged that Honorable Karngar-Lawrence ordered the Sergeant-At-Arms of the House of Senate to assault, harass, and intimidate him during his reportorial duties.

In order for the Council to hear from both sides, investigate, analyze the information, establish the facts and seek an amicable solution in the matter, the National Media Council (NMC) wrote a communication to both parties citing them for hearings.

Being that the Council was not satisfied with the behavior of both the complainant and defendant’s attitude having written and they acknowledged receipt of said communication and as well both of them responded to be present for the hearings scheduled for Friday, 13 July 2018, they failed to show-up.

Meanwhile, the Council is calling on Senator Karngar-Lawrence to be present in person for the next hearings a date that which will be communicated her. The National Media Council will not accept any proxy’s hearings.

The Council during one of her hearings that involved Honorable Dallas Gueh of River Cess County versus Journalist Musa Kanneh of Truth FM, which the Senator was present. The same must be apply to you without exception because the Council will not accept any representation by the complainant or the defendant.

The National Media Council was established in 2016 through a legal framework crafted and validated by members of the Press Union of Liberia. The objectives of the Council include, but they are not limited to hearing and handing down decisions into complaints of ethical breaches by, and against journalists; mediating and mitigating into these complaints, creating awareness on its activities, as well as commenting on issues of national concern.

The membership of the Council is drawn from diverse professional backgrounds including academia, civil society, the National Legislature, the media, women group, and religious,