The government of Liberia has written the Press Union of Liberia complaining Spoon Network Inc, owner of Spoon FM and TV, Super FM and TV, and Fabric FM, in Monrovia, pointing to what it calls a sustained pattern of many ethical transgressions.
In a communication dated February 28, under the signature of Information Minister Ledgerhood Julius Rennie, the government said in the last weeks, the network has allowed the use of its platforms (Online and Radio) by well-known rabble-rousers who mainly reside outside of the country, to spew disinformation, and misinformation, with the sole intent of fueling chaos in society through a campaign of fake news and deliberate false information, while broadcasting from a foreign jurisdiction.
“While the Weah-led Administration is not in the business of stifling free expression and freedom of the press and has shown demonstrable commitments over time as a government to this principle, we all must be reminded that the exercise of this freedom cornes with responsibility, and that one is held accountable under the laws of the country for the breach of such,” the letter said.
However, it said with these individuals residing out of the country, it makes it difficult for those who feel injured by these deliberate lies, insults, and fake news to have any meaningful redress.
“Furthermore, as a government, it is our fiduciary responsibility to ensure the decent and responsible use of our airwaves and we cannot falter on this responsibility, especially during this time in which the political discourse is becoming feisty,” the statement added.
Against this backdrop, the Minister of Information said, “we request an urgent meeting with the leadership of the PUL to examine these situations with the view of forming a common approach to curtailing the wanton misuse of the airwaves of the country under the guise of press freedom.’
The meeting, the statement said was scheduled for today, Thursday, March 2, in the Minister’s Conference Room at the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism.