Smile FM Under Attack: Journalists Fear for Their Lives – PUL Calls for Safety Measures

(May 5, 2025): The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) is calling on the authorities of Grand Gedeh County, particularly the Office of the Superintendent, to unconditionally guarantee the safety of journalists and media workers at Smile FM, a community radio station operating in Zwedru.

This call by the PUL follows a violent attack on the station early Monday, May 5, 2025, by a group of individuals reportedly acting under the instructions of Superintendent Alex Grant.

During this attack, Smile FM Broadcast Technician, Cyrus Gbeway, was beaten and dragged, leading to damage to his phone, a Techno Spark.

In an alarming escalation, police, acting on Superintendent Grant’s orders, have taken control of the only Community Radio Station in Grand Gedeh, denying staff access and effectively shutting down its broadcasts. This action has denied the citizens of Grand Gedeh their right to reliable, timely, and vital information.

“It is time for the local authorities of Grand Gedeh to cease the assault on Smile FM and its media workers, and to reopen the station unconditionally. This will allow journalists and media workers to fulfill their essential roles in information dissemination, facilitating dialogue, and holding political power accountable, without hindrance or fear,” stated PUL President Julius Kanubah.

The situation at Smile FM marks a disturbing development, mainly as it occurs just days after the PUL celebrated World Press Freedom Day alongside the government, civil society, and human rights advocates.

The station’s management team has publicly accused Superintendent Grant of masterminding the assault and of orchestrating the illegal formation of a parallel Board of Directors, which appointed an Acting Station Manager.

However, Superintendent Grant, in discussions with the PUL, denied these allegations. He acknowledged the establishment of a new Board of Directors, which has appointed an Acting Station Manager, effectively removing journalist Solo Uriah Lewis from his position.

Superintendent Grant also confirmed that he ordered the police to take control of the station and facilitate its temporary shutdown based on intelligence regarding plans by some citizens to install Mr. Randolp Yonkpao Saydee as Acting Station Manager.

Both Superintendent Grant and the group involved in the attack share the view that the Board of Advisors, headed by Madam Jesadeh G. Barzon, has been replaced and that journalist Solo Uriah Lewis was terminated as Station Manager by the new Board of Directors, led by Madam Watchen Ophelia Boley.

The PUL has received numerous documents indicating that Smile FM currently has two competing Boards and two Station Managers, which is a ploy to seize the Community Radio Station. This situation suggests a political maneuver aimed at undermining the station’s independence, credibility, and operations.

The PUL calls on the central government to call Superintendent Grant to order and restrain him from shutting down the Community Radio Station as government does not own Smile FM.

To address this situation, the PUL is working to mediate between the involved parties to end the ugly situation as journalists and media workers at Smile FM continue to report living in fear amid ongoing harassment and intimidation.

The PUL emphasizes the critical need for Grand Gedeh’s police commander, Moses Gberyan, to provide security for the station’s reopening rather than enforcing its shutdown based on an order from Superintendent Grant, who has been accused of political interference in Smile FM’s operations.

Signed:

Julius Kanubah

President/PUL