21/08/2025
Court Drops Criminal Charges Against Journalists in Rivercess After PUL’s Intervention
EMMANUEL MOPOLU
Monrovia, August 21, 2025 – In what seems to be a major win for press freedom, the Yarpah Town Magisterial Court in Rivercess County has dropped “criminal contempt of court” charges against journalists Eric Opa Doue and Methuselah Gaye, following legal representation and advocacy by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL).
Magistrate Debah Zuku Debah handed down the ruling on August 20, 2025, after persuasive arguments by Attorney Bruce Boweh, appointed by the PUL to defend the journalists. While the court dismissed the contempt charges, it imposed a minimum fine of US$50 each and required the journalists to issue a written apology and retraction of their bribery allegations against the court.
Attorney Boweh’s intervention prevented further harassment of the journalists and underscored Liberia’s commitment to the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act of Press Freedom and the Declaration of Table Mountain. Boweh told the court that although the journalists’ report contained inaccuracies, their intent was to inform the public—not malign the court. After review, he found they lacked credible evidence to support their bribery claims, a conclusion consistent with earlier PUL assessments. Both journalists have since admitted and apologized for the errors in their reporting.
PUL President Julius Kanubah welcomed the decision, stressing that the Union remains vigilant against coordinated attempts to silence the press.
He reaffirmed PUL’s support for Doue and Gaye as they continue to face a separate criminal coercion case now before the Cestos Magisterial Court, where the Union and Attorney Boweh will seek a fair resolution.
