The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has urgently called for enhanced protections for journalists and media personnel at Smile FM, a community radio station in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, following a violent attack on the station on May 5, 2025.
The PUL’s appeal comes following alarming reports detailing the assault on Smile FM Broadcast Technician, Cyrus Gbeway, who was physically attacked and had his personal property damaged during the incident.
The attack is said to have been orchestrated by individuals reportedly acting under the directives of Superintendent Alex Grant, raising serious concerns about the safety of media workers in the region.
Following the assault, law enforcement, acting on Superintendent Grant’s orders, took control of Smile FM, blocking staff access and ceasing broadcasts. This shutdown denies the local community of Grand Gedeh access to essential information.
PUL President Julius Kanubah condemned the actions of local authorities, emphasizing that the shutdown of Smile FM undermines the public’s right to timely and accurate information. “It is imperative for the local authorities of Grand Gedeh to halt the assault on Smile FM and its journalists, allowing them to operate freely and without fear,” Kanubah stated.
The situation escalates tensions in a region where media freedom has been a critical issue, especially following recent celebrations of World Press Freedom Day. The management of Smile FM has accused Superintendent Grant of orchestrating the attack and establishing a parallel Board of Directors to undermine the station’s legitimacy.
Grant, however, has denied these allegations, asserting that the new Board and Acting Station Manager were put in place due to concerns about the station’s management.
The PUL has highlighted the troubling reality that Smile FM is currently governed by two competing Boards, which appears to be a political strategy aimed at destabilizing the station’s independence and operations.
The PUL has called on the central government to intervene and ensure that Superintendent Grant does not exert undue influence over the community radio station, which is not a government-owned entity.
To address the crisis, the PUL is seeking to mediate between the conflicting parties while advocating for the safety of journalists at Smile FM.
The Union’s leadership has urged the local police commander, Moses Gberyan, to prioritize the station’s security and facilitate its reopening rather than enforcing a shutdown under the orders of Superintendent Grant.
As the situation develops, the PUL continues to advocate for press freedom and the protection of journalists in Liberia, reinforcing the vital role of independent media in promoting accountability and informed public discourse.