22
October 2017
The
West African Journalists Association (WAJA), has joined its affiliate, the
Press Union of Liberia in condemning the arson attack on the home of journalist
Smith Toby and the assault on reporter James M. Karimu of Prime FM in separate
incidents.
Unknown
men attacked the home of Toby in the early hours of Wednesday, October 18 on
the highway leading to the Roberts International Airport. He is a talk show
host and Station Manager of the privately owned, OK FM in Monrovia.
"Smith
Toby is one of the best known journalists and personalities on radio, striving
to tell the full Liberian story," said PUL President Charles B. Coffey in
a release.
While
backing calls for "The investigation into the arson attack on the home of
Toby to be exhaustive, credible, and the outcome released in a timely manner,”
WAJA urges the Liberian Government and all political leaders to take immediate actions
to end impunity for crimes against journalists.
WAJA
says, it is totally unacceptable for journalists to be targeted on account of
the jobs they do, and therefore challenges competing supporters and security
personnel to recognize the critical role of media practitioners especially in electioneering
period.
At
the same time, WAJA urges journalists to exercise the highest possible safety
measures and professionalism and remain fearless in the discharge of their
duties.
The
West African media body wishes Liberia well as the country breaks new grounds in
its democratic development, but also reminds all Liberians that the whole world
is watching them and no infraction of the peace will go unnoticed.
WAJA brings together 15 journalists
unions/associations in West Africa. For further inquiry, contact: +231 777463911
The deadline is Oct. 31.
