ACTION ALERT

International Freedom of Expression eXchange Clearing House

Date: 23 April 1996

LIBERIA: Journalist Nyenati Allison targeted; widespread looting targets media outlets; local coverage of conflict nonexistent

ORIGINATOR: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), New York

Liberian journalist Nyenati Allison, correspondent for the Associated Press (AP) news agency and the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) “Focus on Africa”, was targeted by both sides of the recent factional fighting in the Liberian capital, Monrovia. On 7 April 1996, one day after fighting erupted, Allison was chased into hiding by a group of fighters loyal to Roosevelt Johnson’s United Liberation Movement (ULIMO), who accused Allison of reporting lies during the standoff. Allison fled to safety in the United Nations (UN) compound for two nights, during which time fighters returned, circling the grounds and firing their guns. On 9 April, Allison, dressed in disguise, left the UN compound, as his presence was putting at risk the lives of other people also seeking refuge there. He stayed at the headquarters of the West African peacekeeping force (ECOMOG) until the evening of 10 April, when he felt certain that the fighters had forgotten about him. Allison subsequently returned to work on 11 April, covering the battles in Monrovia. However, on 19 April, Allison was picked up by soldiers loyal to Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL). The fighters defended their actions by citing Allison’s recent critical reports on fighting outside Monrovia waged by the NPFL near a ULIMO stronghold. Allison was released on 21 April and was reported to be in good health.

Allison was one of three Liberian journalists who was offered assistance in leaving the country during United States-led evacuations. Reuters correspondent Jackson Konneh and BBC Network Africa stringer Budu Kaisa were airlifted out of the country early in the conflict, while Allison stayed behind.

Meanwhile, the offices of Liberia’s seven newspapers and two printing presses, all located in the centre of Monrovia, were reportedly not spared in the massive looting by armed fighters. The radio station, ELCM, which is operated by the National Catholic Secretariat, was torched in the early days of the standoff. None of the station’s journalists were reportedly injured. As well, the offices of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) were also looted, leaving the premises riddled with bullet holes and littered with shell casings.

While the almost 20 international correspondents covering the strife in Monrovia are accompanied by NPFL, ECOMOG and United States soldiers during their rounds in the war-ravaged capital, local reporting of the conflict has come to a complete halt, with reporters for local newspapers and most radio stations, like other Liberian civilians, having to seek refuge. Nevertheless, a few radio stations have been able to operate. The Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) resumed operations on 20 April, and is apparently transmitting intermittently from a secret location. ELWA-FM, run by the Sudan Industrial Mission (SIM), a religious broadcasting service, is currently transmitting Christian programming consisting of music and sermons. KISS-FM, operated by the NPFL, is also transmitting. However, there have been reports that threats to individuals, hate-mongering rhetoric and incitements of violence have been broadcast by KISS-FM.

For further information, contact Kakuna Kerina (x103) or Azeen Salimi (x118) at CPJ, 330 Seventh Ave, New York NY 10001, U.S.A., tel:+1 212 465 1004, fax:+1 212 465 9568, e-mail: kkerina@cpj.org, asalimi@cpj.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of its originator.

IFEX CLEARING HOUSE * * 490 Adelaide St. W. #205 Toronto ONT M5V 1T2 CANADA * * tel: 416-703-1638 fax: 416-703-7034 * * e-mail: ifex@web.apc.org