Plain Truth Article has ‘Serious National Security Implications’

MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia (GOL), through the Ministry of Justice, has requested the publisher of a local daily, Plain Truth,, to report to the National Security Agency (NSA) in connection with the publication of an article in the December 9, 2009 edition of the paper.

Justice Minister, Cllr. Christiana Tah, said the publication of the article, which was headlined “Ellen’s Government Supplying Guinean Dissident Arms? Military Junta Alleges”, raises broader concerns of national security and responsible journalism.

Addressing a news conference at the Ministry of Justice Friday, Tah indicated that the allegation is very damning and has serious national and international security implications.

The article states that the Guinean government is accusing the Government of Liberia of “aiding and abetting dissident forces with arms and ammunition to overthrow the government,” she recalled.

“As far as we know, this is misinformation with respect to both the Guinean government and the Liberian Government. But this allegation is very damning and has serious national and international security implications,” she asserted.

“The Government of Liberia categorically denies the allegations made by unnamed sources. Liberia and Guinea have a strong relationship as neighboring countries, both members of the Mano River Union (MRU).

“Our President has said firmly that Liberia will never be used as a staging ground to incite unrest in any neighboring country. The Liberian Ministry of Foreign affairs is preparing to communicate this official position to the government of Guinea,” the Justice Minister told the news conference Friday.

She indicated that the Government of Liberia has the highest respect for the fundamental freedom of speech and of the press, enshrined in the Liberian Constitution.

“We have tried to honor those freedoms, and will protect and defend the rights of journalists. But along with these freedoms comes responsibility – the media has great power to influence public opinion. Because of this, there are principles of responsible journalism that must be followed, such as factual accuracy, thorough investigation and research, balanced reporting and ethics,” she added.

“The government is very concerned about the implications of this article. In view of this, we have invited the publisher of the Plain Truth to… report to the National Security Agency (NSA), to assist us [in assessing] the implications of the information he has published, for diplomatic relations with the government of Guinea as well as public sentiments in Liberia and Guinea,” Minister Tah added.

In a related development, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) has advised all Liberians, in the wake of the conflict in Guinea, especially members/ex-combatants of former warring factions, to desist from getting involved in the conflict and moving into that territory

The BIN said in order to prevent any Liberian involvement in the conflict it has, with immediate effect, commenced a more vigorous monitoring and screening of all individuals crossing into Guinea from Liberia.