The government of Liberia has shut down privately-owned Radio LIB24.
The MFWA’s partner organisation in Liberia Center for Media Studies and PeaceBuilding (CEMESP) reported that on August 13, 2016, officers of the Police Support Unit and the National Security Agency of Liberia were seen barricading the premises of the radio station. The security officers were said to be accompanying court officers who were to effect the shutdown.
According to CEMESP, the shutting down of Radio LIB24, barely 24 hours after the broadcast of the popular “Costa Show” on the radio station.
In its August 12, 2016 edition, the show gave an analysis on the Global Witness corruption report on Liberia in which President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was accused of receiving USD $250,000 from an indicted senator, one Varney Sherman.
“The Costa Show,” was originally broadcast on Voice FM, but was moved to Radio LIB24 after the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) shut down Voice FM. According to CEMESP, many believed the radio station was shut down because it was critical of the government. The LTA has however denied this and said the station had been operating without a permit.