The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has again assured the public that it is carefully following the legal process on the closure of Roots FM radio owned by talk show host Henry Costa, the PUL in a press release signed by its President, Charles B Coffey, Jr. on Friday, October 11, 2019 said,.
The station was shut down October 10, 2019 following a writ of search, seizure and arrest warrant issued October 9, 2019 by the Monrovia city court. The court’s action was predicated upon a request from justice ministry as a petitioner.
According to the writ, the justice ministry prays the honor of the court to search, seize and subsequently arrest the respondent in violation of section 15 of the Telecommunication Act of 2007 and chapter 11 section 11.2 (d) of the criminal procedure law, acts of which these respondents according to the writ are operating radio station without valid license.
The petitioner also maintains that the failure on the part of the respondent to obtain valid license and to pay for radio frequency authorization fee to the government of Liberia through LTA is denying the government of Liberia the required revenue.
The union subscribes to the rule of law and expresses optimism of a speedy legal process to address the frequency fee payment issue.
The union has also vowed to uphold press freedom, free ventilation of the expression of ideas responsibly.
Meanwhile, the press union of Liberia has reiterated call for strict adherence to professional standards and societal norms by media institutions and practitioners .
The Union’s attention has been drawn to the persistent disregard to professional standards and societal norms by Freedom FM radio .
Despite several warnings, Freedom FM Radio owned by deputy NSA director Sam Sanyon is still broadcasting hate messages, using invective and profanities on the radio.
The Union believes such action by Freedom FM Radio has the propensity to create chaos in the country and urged the institution to desist.
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