29 August 2008

Senator's brief seizure of journalist's equipment sparks debate on
reporters' right to record informal discussions, arguments in Senate


(CEMESP/IFEX) - On 25 August 2008, the recording equipment of journalist
Julius Kanubah, of the independent radio station Star Radio in Monrovia,
was temporarily seized by River Gee County Senator Fredrick Cherue. Cherue
claimed that he seized the equipment in reaction to the recording of
private discussions by journalists covering the Liberian Senate.

The incident began when legislative reporters started recording a heated
argument between the senate's temporary acting president, Lahai Lansana,
and another River Gee County senator, Isaac Johnson.

The argument began when Lansana instructed Johnson to take his seat and
stop roaming the senate chamber, which angered the River Gee County
senator.

According to some of the journalists present, it was at this point that
Senator Cherue forcefully seized Kanubah's equipment and gave it to
Lansana, who at that moment was briefly presiding over the senate session
due to the late arrival of Liberian Vice President Joseph Boakai.

Although the recording equipment was later given back to Kanubah, several
senators, including Johnson, Cherue and Sumo Kupee, briefly debated the
media's coverage of senate sessions, saying that journalists should only
record official statements from the senate's plenary sessions and not
arguments and side discussions.

However Gbapolu County Senator Theodore Momoh differed with his colleagues,
saying that the public has a right to information about any statements made
during the Senate sessions, and therefore journalists have the right to
record and report on them. He cautioned his colleagues not to do anything
that would be detrimental to press freedom and freedom of expression.


_________________________________________________________________
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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