NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, demanding the immediate public release of evidence supporting allegations that a drug cartel has infiltrated Liberia’s media with money to manipulate public narratives and obstruct ongoing narcotics investigations.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The Union warned that if the government fails to substantiate the claims within the specified timeframe, it will take “appropriate actions” to defend the integrity, credibility, and independence of journalism and the media in Liberia.
The demand follows remarks made on Thursday, July 30, by Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman during a government press briefing at the Ministry of Information, where he provided updates on the Joint National Security Investigation into the seizure of more than US$300 million worth of cocaine.
Addressing reporters, Coleman alleged that Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) had deployed their vast financial resources to influence sections of the Liberian media.
“It is very disappointing to see those who we depend upon to inform the public falling very much prey to the same actions of the DTOs,” Coleman said. “We’ve been able to verify and establish that they have infused monies into the media to change the narrative, distract the key players in the investigation, and sow a serious seed of discord. That is not just hurting the investigations; it is hurting the nation.”
The PUL described the statement as reckless, dangerous, and an unsubstantiated blanket indictment of journalism in Liberia, insisting that such a serious allegation must be backed by credible evidence.
In a statement signed by its President, Julius Kanubah, the Union argued that the accusation, made on an official government platform and in the presence of the country’s top security officials, cannot be allowed to stand without proof.
Those present at the briefing included Minister of Justice and Attorney General Cllr. Oswald Tweh, Executive Protection Service Director Sam Gaye, Officer-in-Charge of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency Fitzgerald Biago, and Minister of Information Jerolinmek Piah.
“The police IG, having made this grave claim, is under obligation to reveal the names of members of the drug cartel and the media allegedly involved in such pay-to-play transactions at the detriment of the public interest and the security of Liberia,” Kanubah declared.
The PUL maintained that publicly naming those allegedly involved is necessary to ensure accountability and to enable immediate legal and professional action against any media institution or journalist found to have compromised ethical standards.
Although Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah later clarified during the same briefing that the Inspector General’s comments were not directed at the entire Liberian media, the PUL said the clarification does not relieve the government of its responsibility to provide evidence and identify the specific media actors allegedly implicated.
The Union further questioned why law enforcement authorities have not arrested and prosecuted either the alleged drug cartel members or the media practitioners said to have accepted payments if the government indeed possesses verified evidence.
Kanubah warned that making sweeping accusations without proof exposes journalists to unnecessary risks, damages public confidence in the media, undermines press freedom, and weakens democratic governance.
The PUL also noted that this is not the first occasion on which officials of the Boakai administration have made broad allegations against the Liberian media, particularly as journalists continue to scrutinize the government’s handling of major national issues, including the ongoing investigation into the multi-million-dollar cocaine seizure in which several security officials have been implicated.
Reaffirming its commitment to ethical journalism and accountability, the Union stressed that any journalist found collaborating with criminal networks should face the full weight of the law and professional sanctions.
However, it insisted that accusations of such magnitude must be supported by verifiable evidence rather than public assertions.
The PUL concluded by calling on the Boakai administration to release the evidence within 72 hours or face actions by the Union aimed at protecting the reputation, safety, and independence of Liberia’s media.
