(Monrovia, May 28, 2019)- To safeguard journalists and news entitiescoverage of the anticipated June 7 Protect, the Liberia National Police (LNP) has vowed to provide security for news men and women on duty during the public event.

Speaking during a meeting with some leaders of the Press Union of Liberia, Police Inspector General, Col. Patrick T. Sudue on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 said journalists will be protected throughout the protest.

Col. Sudue cautioned journalists to work on visibilities to avoid any situation of mistaken identity when gathering news about the protest.

The Police Boss however announced a ban on the deploymentofarmed police officers throughout the June 7 Protest.     

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police expressed fear of what he labelled as “assets on the loss” referencing terror groups operating in West Africa.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the Press Union, PUL President Charles B. Coffey, Jr. stressed the need for the safety of journalists and the aligning duty of the police to ensure the safety of journalists while covering public events in rallies and protests.

Mr. Coffey said it was important that the Press Union and the Liberia National Police innovate ideas that will avoid violence against journalists during the mass gathering of people on June 7.

The United NationsSecurity Council passed a historic resolution in 2006 calling for an end to impunity against journalists and the subsequent 2012 action of major UN agencies to agree to  a comprehensive ‘Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists’.  

Unites Nations and West African Regional Envoys have been shuttling between the Weah Administration and the Council of Patriots in an effort to ensure that Liberian Laws are upheld as fundamental human rights.

Moreover, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has alarmed the worsening contraction of the media economy.

The Union is sickened by the declined in advertisement flow to the traditional media in Liberia. Press Union of Liberia President, Charles B. Coffey, Jr. said the deteriorating state of revenue intake in the media can be related to government sanctioning advertisements on the Executive Mansion Website.

Mr. Coffey wants government, NGOs, development partners, private and public financial institutions to contribute to stimulating advertisement in the traditional media in Liberia as means for helping journalism survive.  “It is important that government settle its indebtedness with Media institutions. These are small businesses which finding it difficult to operate in the absence of low energy supply in the country”.    

Daniel Nyakonah, Jr.

Secretary General

0886235395/0770166781

Email: pressunionofliberia@yahoo.com