Monrovia – The Yarpah Town Magisterial Court in Rivercess County has dropped criminal contempt charges against two Liberian journalists, in what press advocates are describing as a milestone victory for press freedom in the country.
By Willie N. Tokpah
Journalists Eric Opa Doue and Methuselah Gaye were facing contempt proceedings after reporting allegations of bribery within the Rivercess judiciary.
On Wednesday, August 20, Magistrate Debah Zuku dismissed the charges following the intervention of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), which provided legal representation through Attorney Bruce Boweh.
Although the court ordered the journalists to pay a token fine of US$50 each and issue formal apologies along with retractions of their bribery claims, the ruling spared them from possible jail terms and ongoing criminal liabilities.
“This is a welcome relief for the Union and the entire media fraternity,” said PUL President Julius Kanubah in a statement, Thursday.
“The case reaffirms why the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act of Press Freedom remains critical to the protection of journalists in Liberia. Even when mistakes are made, they should not be used as a weapon to silence the press.”
Kanubah further stressed Liberia’s obligation to international standards of media protection, adding that as a country that has committed to the Declaration of Table Mountain, Liberia must ensure that no journalist is criminalised or intimidated simply for doing their work.
Attorney Boweh, who travelled to Rivercess to argue the case, told the court that while the journalists’ reports contained factual inaccuracies, they were not published with malicious intent.
He noted that the allegations had stemmed from unnamed sources and conjecture rather than verified evidence.
After reviewing the matter, the court agreed to drop the contempt charge, provided the journalists complied with the apology and fine conditions.
The contempt case followed the August 13, arrest of Eric Opa Doue, who was seized by court marshals on the orders of Magistrate Debah.
He was later released but ordered to reappear before the court with legal counsel by August 20.
On August 14, fellow journalist Methuselah Gaye was detained after police officer Ojuku Weeks, acting as a private prosecutor, accused him of making “false allegations” linking him to drug-related corruption and bribery.
Gaye spent a night in custody and was released on bail after posting 60,000 Liberian dollars (USD 300).
Doue was freed the same week after posting a 2,000 Liberian dollar (USD 10) bond, with support from community leaders in Rivercess.
The PUL, however, condemned the arrests, describing them as “an orchestrated attempt to muzzle critical journalism in Rivercess County.”
The Union also raised concerns about the refusal of Public Defender Abraham Nyounway to represent the journalists during the initial proceedings.
Meanwhile, a separate case of criminal coercion against the journalists is still pending before the Cestos City Magisterial Court, presided over by Associate Magistrate Dixon Yeahgar.
The PUL has pledged to continue supporting the reporters in ensuring a fair hearing.
“This matter is not just about two journalists, it’s about defending press freedom as a cornerstone of our democracy,” Kanubah told reporters.
“We will remain vigilant to prevent any creeping culture of intimidation against the media in Liberia.”
