Liberia: Civil Law Court Fines 19 Spoon FM Staff Members After Contempt Conviction

 The Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice has fined 19 journalists and support staff members  of the embattled Spoon FM radio and television stations after they were found guilty of contempt on Tuesday July 18.   Each of the 19 employees was fined US$300.00,  while the Spoon Network, as an institution was also fined US$1,000.00 for what the court termed as disrespecting its order.

After imposing the fines, Civil Law Court Judge, Kennedy Peabody, suspended prison sentences against the defendants. “It is a spoken opinion of this court to find the defendants guilty of contempt for disrespecting and insulting officers of the court, as well, the judiciary,” Judge Peabody ruled.

The decision to punish the defendants through the imposition of fines was reached after their lawyers pleaded with the court to have mercy on their clients.

"You people would be given the second chance to disseminate relevant information that would help people contribute to the growth and development of the country, therefore, Spoon FM as an institution is fined US$1,000. And, each of the defendants is fined US$300, to be paid within twenty-four hours in the judiciary account," Peabody ruled. He also warned that "failure on the part of anyone would result in their being incarcerated at the Monrovia Central Prison pending payment of said amount."

The defendants on July 14 reportedly prevented court officers who had gone to the compound of the station from effecting a closure order. The closure order was  based on a lawsuit of defamation filed by Wilmot Smith, a dismissed former Deputy Director General of Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), against Spoon FM.

He was allegedly at the center of the controversial 2022 national population and housing census. 

The suit, due to its attachment, compelled Spoon FM to file a counterbond to upset the attachment, which it is alleged that they have failed to do and have refused to appear in court for the commencement of the case. 

However, Judge Peabody, wondered on Tuesday as to why journalists who are stakeholders could choose to disrespect the rule of law and the authority of the judiciary. According to Peabody, the foundation of every democratic society is based on the rule of law that should be respected by everyone, including journalists.

“You are very important in disseminating information that can destroy lives and property or make people live peacefully with each other,” Peabody reminded the spoon FM employees.

Peabody noted that the action by the defendants will go a long way in the history of the country particularly by placing their disrespectful attitude to the judiciary on various online outlets that was watched by millions around the world.

“This attitude clearly shows disrespect and disregard for the judiciary and the court, the rule of law and your fellow citizens,” Peabody told the spoon FM employees.  "Your  action against the innocent sheriffs placed them in harm's way by endangering their lives.

“These  officers could have been killed by the mob action of these defendants.”

Judge Peabody however said that while it is true that the defense lawyers had prayed the court to temper mercy with justice, “this action is grave and it will not be allowed to go unpunished.”

Initially, spoon FM lawyer had apologized on behalf of his clients, when he was heard saying, “no, arguably, every information on the sheriff's return is true. And, we are very much sorry for their conduct to disrespect the authority of the court and the judiciary.”