Monrovia, Liberia – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) strongly condemns the Liberia National Police (LNP)’s harassment and unfair interrogation of two Daily Observer newspaper writers. The PUL in a press release said, it is especially concerned about the actions of Simeon Frank, Deputy Police Commissioner for Crime Services, and his team of detectives, who have harassed, intimidated, and unlawfully detained journalists Bai Best and David Yates in connection with their reporting.
According to PUL release signed by President Julius Kanubah on Monday, January 13, 2025, it is both unethical and inappropriate for Commissioner Frank and his colleagues to identify journalist David Yates as a “person of interest” and a “suspect” in the inexplicable murder of Anwar Futloo, General Manager of Boulevard Palace Hotel. Such labeling weakens journalism’s credibility and raises significant questions about the sanctity of press freedom.
The PUL notes that characterizing journalists based on their reporting violates the right to free expression under the Liberian Constitution, the Kamara A. Kamara Act of Press Freedom, and the Table Mountain Declaration.
“We urge the Justice Ministry, led by Minister Oswald Tweh, and the Liberia National Police, led by Commissioner Gregory Coleman, to immediately end the intimidation and intimidation conducted by Commissioner Frank and his men. Their acts represent a worrying continuation of coercive methods that violate journalists’ rights and jeopardize press freedom in Liberia.”
The PUL demands that Commissioner Simeon Frank immediately make a formal apology to the journalists and the Daily Observer, as his actions are a serious setback to the press’s ability to function without fear of intimidation or harassment.
