RELEASE
Monrovia, Liberia – Journalist Edward Stemn a Liberian broadcast journalist based in Harper Maryland County has been detained on grounds of “Criminal Contempt of Court” by Associate Magistrate Nyemade Bedell of the Gedetarbo Magisterial Court.
Mr. Stemn’s refusal to show up for court after a Voice of Hope Radio program that purportedly linked Magistrate Bedell to bribery and the illegal release of a drug suspect led to the issuance of the arrest warrant on June 30, 2025.
Their absence was not communicated to the court, leading Magistrate Bedell to issue the arrest order on the same day, subsequently executed on July 1. Along with his coworkers, such as Alfred Sloh, the station manager for Voice of Hope, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) is actively working to obtain Edward Stemn’s release.
Upon hearing of the situation on the night of July 4, 2025, from journalist Langston Joe Wilson, Station Manager of City FM in Pleebo, the PUL immediately reached out to Magistrate Bedell to facilitate the release of Mr. Stemn. The PUL was able to connect with Magistrate Bedell on Saturday, July 5, and was assured that arrangements were being made to release the journalist by Monday, July 7.
According to information that PUL has confirmed from other Maryland County media, Mr. Stemn is presently being transferred from Harper Central Prison to the Gedetarbo Magisterial Court in order to regain his freedom.
