12 January 2009

Sports journalist assaulted by police officer


(CEMESP/IFEX) - On 8 January 2009, a Liberia National Police officer
physically assaulted a sports journalist who was covering a football match
at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia.

Journalist Anthony Stevens was physically assaulted by the police officer
after he attempted to conduct a post match interview with an official from
the Bomi County football team. Bomi County had just beaten Lofa County in a
National County Sports Meet football match..

According to Stevens, who reports for Star Radio, the police officer, with
badge number 7, asked him to leave the perimeter of the sports field though
he had identified himself as journalist who wanted to conduct an interview
with team officials.

Stevens said the police officer apparently became infuriated and began to
shove him when he realised he was reporting for Star Radio. Stevens
sustained bodily injuries in the assault.

The same officer destroyed the digital camera of another sports journalist
and colleague of Stevens who attempted to intervene.

Journalist Roland Mulbah, of "Sportsmax" newspaper, told CEMESP that the
assault on his colleague seemed premeditated as he was singled out from
among several other journalists who were at the perimeter of the playing
field.

_________________________________________________________________
For further information contact CEMESP, Benson & Buchanan Streets, P.O. Box
3480, Monrovia, Liberia, tel: +231 651 4357, e-mail:
centerforpeacebuilding@yahoo.com, Internet: http://www.cemesp-liberia.org/

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of
CEMESP. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
CEMESP.

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