The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) is actively engaged in efforts to secure the release of Edward Stemn, a broadcast journalist who has been in detention since July 1, 2025.
Stemn was ordered to be detained at the Harper Central Prison in Maryland County after being charged with ‘Criminal Contempt of Court’ by Associate Magistrate Nyemade Bedell of the Gedetarbo Magisterial Court.
The arrest warrant, issued on June 30, 2025, was prompted by the journalist’s failure to appear before the court following a broadcast on Voice of Hope Radio that allegedly implicated Magistrate Bedell in bribery and the unlawful release of a drug suspect.
Alongside his colleagues, including Voice of Hope’s Station Manager, Alfred Sloh, Stemn had previously attended a conference on June 28, 2025, where it was decided that the story aired on ‘The Whistleblower talk show would be retracted.
A letter of apology was to be presented to the court during a follow-up meeting scheduled for June 30. However, the said meeting did not take place due to the bereavement of one of the journalists that was part of the media’s representation.
The team’s absence was not communicated to the court, leading Magistrate Bedell to issue the arrest order on the same day, subsequently executed on July 1.
Upon learning of the situation on the night of July 4, from Langston Joe Wilson, station manager of Smile FM in Pleebo, the press union immediately reached out to Magistrate Bedell to facilitate the release of its member.
Although initial efforts yielded limited results, the PUL was able to connect with Magistrate Bedell on the afternoon of Saturday, July 5, when she assured the that arrangements were being made to release the journalist by Monday, July 7.
In a release, the PUL said it has verified information indicating that Stemn is currently being transported from Harper Central Prison to the Gedetarbo Magisterial Court for the restoration of his freedom.
Once his release is finalized, the PUL intends to discuss with Stemn the circumstances surrounding his detention and address any health, safety and legal concerns that have arisen from his experience over the past six days.