This statement was originally published on cemespliberia.org on 25 September 2019.
The Press Union of Liberia says it is appalled by the gross disregard for professional standards of journalism and Liberian traditional societal norms being exhibited by some broadcasters in the country.
The PUL specifically frowns at the Friday September 20, 2019 broadcast edition of Freedom Morning Rise, a popular radio program broadcast on Freedom 87.9 FM in Liberia’s capital Monrovia.
Presenters Sekou Sheriff and Austin Kawah are said to have violated ethical standards and guidelines for journalists, by using invective, during their usual broadcast.
The PUL described in their release that the Freedom FM broadcast is a “rant on radio in a copycat disposition of the Roots FM’s flagship talk show the Costa Show.”
The Press Union sees the recent wave of rival insults coated as broadcasts on the airwaves as a direct product of hate style politics being practiced in the country.
The parent body of media institutions in Liberia says it will not be advocating for the protection of the two reckless broadcasters whose conducts are against every principle of good journalism.
The Press Union of Liberia is now inviting immediate action against broadcasters mainly owned by Liberian political leaders and influencers from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism (MICAT) and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) within the scope of the organic Law.
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) is therefore calling on the Government of Liberia (GOL) as the regulatory body to take actions in keeping with the standards and procedures provided for by the laws of the Republic of Liberia. It believes, the actions will serve as a deterrent and will safeguard the future of the Liberian media- and protect the generations unborn.
Freedom FM is owned and operated by Deputy National Security Agency (NSA) Director Sam T. Sayon.
Meanwhile, the Center for Media Studies has called on the Press Union of Liberia to amicably resolve the situation, saying if not, it may lead to a clampdown on freedom of speech.
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Source: MEDIA FEED
