Henry Flomo, AfricaNews reporter in Monrovia, Liberia
The Liberian leader president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has filed a lawsuit against the New Broom newspaper for libel, amounting to $5 million in damages. The paper recently accused president Sirleaf of receiving US$2 million as kickback to favor a company for control of the Cavalla Robber Plantation in the south eastern region of Liberia.
Journalist Robert Worwee who is the Managing Editor of the paper said he stands by his story in spite of the court action.
Article 61 of the Liberian constitution immunes the presidency from “any suites, actions or proceedings, judicial or otherwise…..”
The president’s stance has sparked a huge debate in the country, some feel legal action would expose the presidency, while others support the action arguing it would deter “irresponsible” journalism.
This is not the first attempt for president Sirleaf has taken the legal route with the first coming against Thomas Woewiyu, a former head of the Liberian Senate, who had warned Liberians ahead of the 2005 elections not to vote for her, accusing her of sponsoring the civil war. She would later withdraw the case following intervention from some high profile individuals.
Meanwhile, the Press Union of Liberia has welcomed the lawsuit, grading it over arbitrary actions against the media in the past.
However, others continue to call on the president to withdraw the lawsuit, indicating the “president would hardly win a case based on compensation for damage of good image having openly admitted to treason when she confessed supporting the ousting of a legitimate government of Liberia-the Samuel Doe regime”.
“Besides, the president has been barred from occupying public office for 30 years by the Liberia Truth Commission for her role in the country’s long civil war”.
At the same time, the president has overruled a decision by her Information Minister Lawrence Bropleh to halt the printing of newspapers that are not registered with government. The Press Union had vehemently protested the move by the minister to relive a junta decree.
In the early 1980s during the reign of the military junta of Samuel Doe, there were several decrees, some of which were purposely meant to muscle the press.
Following a reconciliatory meeting Tuesday, having realized the historicity of the law, the president ordered her minister not to implement any draconian decree. She urged both the Press Union and the ministry to work for the repeal of laws working against freedom of expression.
The Liberian leader president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has filed a lawsuit against the New Broom newspaper for libel, amounting to $5 million in damages. The paper recently accused president Sirleaf of receiving US$2 million as kickback to favor a company for control of the Cavalla Robber Plantation in the south eastern region of Liberia.
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