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OK FM Terms Attacks on Reporter as Anti-democratic and Shameful

The Management of OK FM Liberia is disturbed over the humiliation of its reporter Nyantee Togba on the orders of Montserrado County District #17 Representative, Hanson Kiazulu terming it as anti-democratic and shameful.

According to a press statement issued in Monrovia Friday, July 30, 2021 under the signature of Clarence p. Jackson, Station Manager, reporter Togba was attacked while providing live coverage of a protest before the home of Rep. Hanson Kiazulu for OK FM’s Live Facebook Page. Protesters gathered in front of the legislator’s house to demand explanations about the expenses of the controversial US$30k given each member of the Liberian legislature.

The release quoted the media house as saying “Reporter Nyantee was attacked on live video while pleas to identify himself as a journalist was rejected.”

They revealed that pictures of Nyantee later emerged on social media seated on the floor alongside the protesters in the compound of Montserrado County District #17 Representative Hanson Kiazulu.

The station accused Rep. Kiazulu of ordering the mob to seize reporter Nyantee’s phone that was being used for the live coverage.
The reporter and the protesters were later taken away by officers of the Liberia National Police that were invited by the lawmaker.

OK FM Liberia considers such conduct of an elected official of the government as a careless move intended to push journalists into self-censorship and limit much needed public scrutiny of individuals elected by the people as driven by the works of journalists.
 
The broadcaster stressed that journalists in the employ of OK FM, and other journalists, will not succumb to harassments from intolerant politicians who are against the sacred and constitutionally defined role of the media in the Liberian democracy.  

At the same time, the radio station urged the Liberian Press Union to act forcefully in the interest of press freedom in Liberia.

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