22 February 2007

Alert

Publisher wanted by police over publication of sensitive photographs


Incident details

Sam Dean

editor(s)

legal action
(MFWA/IFEX) - On 20 February 2007, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Liberian Police declared Sam Dean, publisher of the privately-owned Monrovia-based newspaper "Independent", wanted for publishing pornographic materials.

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) correspondent reported that in its 19 February edition, the "Independent" published photographs of Willis Knuckles, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and two women in an orgy.

Steven Zargo, the Commissioner of CID, told the MFWA correspondent that Dean is wanted because the publication violates Section 18.1 of the Penal Code of Liberia.

The code prohibits the dissemination of obscene materials without minimizing the risk of exposure to children under sixteen.

The scandal involving the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs was first reported on in the independent newspaper "Public Agenda".

The Justice Ministry has issued a warning to arrest anyone caught reproducing and disseminating the photographic materials of the minister and two women.

Minister Willis Knuckles, at a press conference the same day, apologized to President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, his family, friends and associates.

Commissioner Zargo said the Police would meet the leadership of the Press Union of Liberia on the matter.



Source

Media Foundation for West Africa
PO Box LG 730
30 Duade Street, Kokomlemle
Legon, Accra
Ghana
alerts (@) mediafound.org
Phone: +233 21 242470
Fax: +233 21 221084
 

Updates to this story

Ban lifted on newspaper that published sex photograph of ex-official 4 June 2007 Government maintains ban on newspaper, instructs printing houses not to print 4 April 2007 Court nullifies ban on newspaper for allegedly publishing pornography 28 March 2007 Publisher in hiding seeks assistance following raid on his home 21 March 2007 Editor receives death threats 8 March 2007 Newspaper's licence revoked, premises sealed 28 February 2007

Liberia

Journalist released on bail after spending two nights in prison 11 March 2010 Journalists barred from covering Tony Blair's meeting with vice president 1 March 2010 Newspaper and its staff face libel lawsuit 1 March 2010 Security agency instructs printing press not to print newspaper 24 February 2010 Newspaper fined US$900,000 for libel 19 February 2010


 
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