MONROVIA – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has expressed deep concern regarding an attack on the facilities of Liberia’s leading independent radio station, OK FM, located in Monrovia.
In a press release issued on Monday, September 25, 2023, in Monrovia, the Union reported that unidentified individuals gained unauthorized access to the building housing the radio station and cutoff wiring that connects the audio output from the amplifier board to the transmitter.
According to Clarence Jackson, the Manager of OK FM, this damage was discovered on Sunday, September 24, 2023, during a thorough inspection following a routine break in the station’s broadcast schedule.
Mr. Jackson pointed out that the intruders managed to evade the private security guards at the station and specifically targeted OK FM’s broadcast system, although no equipment was stolen. He emphasized that these individuals appeared to be on a deliberate mission to sabotage the station’s broadcast.
Targeting a radio station during an election undermines democratic values and the principle of free expression upon which democracy is established, the Union asserted.
Furthermore, the Press Union of Liberia views this attack as a deliberate attempt to obstruct the dissemination of independent news and information related to the upcoming elections to the public.
In light of this concerning incident, the Union is calling on the Liberia National Police (LNP) to provide security assistance to OK FM throughout the election period to prevent any recurrence of such disruptions. The PUL acknowledges the LNP’s proactive intervention and swift investigation into the attack.
