By Amos Harris
CAPITOL BUILDING, Monrovia – Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. has sharply criticized the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), accusing it of engaging in a “troubling pattern” of verbal attacks and character assassinations against prominent Liberians, civil society figures, and critics of the government.
Addressing legislative reporters on Thursday at the Capitol Building, Senator Snowe expressed deep disappointment that an institution established to foster transparency, civic education, and responsible communication is now allegedly being used as “a political weapon to malign and intimidate” citizens with dissenting views.
“It’s unfortunate that the Ministry of Information, which should serve as a bridge between the government and the people, is now being used to insult and discredit those who hold different opinions,” Snowe asserted. “This kind of behavior undermines public trust and brings the image of the government into disrepute.”
The senator’s comments follow weeks of heated public debates surrounding MICAT’s recent press briefings, during which some ministry officials reportedly issued harsh statements against journalists, opposition figures, and even religious leaders critical of government policies.
According to Snowe, such actions directly contradict the ministry’s constitutional mandate to inform and educate the public about government programs and national issues. He called on MICAT to immediately return to its core function of promoting factual communication, public accountability, and national unity.
“The Ministry of Information should not be used to abuse people simply because they express opinions about the issues affecting their lives and their country,” Snowe warned. “When institutions lose their moral compass, it creates disunity and mistrust—and that’s exactly what we’re seeing today.”
Senator Snowe’s rebuke echoes growing frustration among lawmakers, journalists, and civil society leaders who argue that state-run communication channels are being transformed into propaganda platforms rather than instruments of transparency.
The outspoken senator urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to caution his officials at the Ministry of Information, specifically naming Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah and Deputy Minister Daniel Sando, whom he accused of mishandling the ministry’s role and damaging the government’s credibility.
“The President must take action. The Information Ministry should be the voice of facts, not a center for insults and reactionary politics,” Snowe emphasized.
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