By J.Amos Harris
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has released a damning report on the September 13, 2025, standoff in Sanniquellie between Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah and journalist D. Franklin Doloquee of OK FM and FrontPage Africa, sharply criticizing both parties for misconduct that undermined press freedom and journalistic integrity.
The report, compiled by the Union’s Specialized Committee of Enquiry (SCE) led by veteran journalist Torwon Sulonteh-Brown, was presented on September 29, 2025, at PUL Headquarters on 9 Street Sinkor on Warner Avenue in Monrovia
According to the findings, the dispute erupted after Doloquee, who had agreed to conduct an audio-only interview, began secretly recording video.
Minister Piah responded by forcibly seizing the journalist’s phone, deleting footage himself, and instructing aides to permanently erase the files.
Doloquee, meanwhile, departed the scene without directly reclaiming his device, leaving a cloud of mistrust and confusion in the aftermath.
While the Committee found no physical assault, it ruled that Minister Piah’s tone and conduct amounted to coercion and misuse of public office, citing clear violations of Article 15 of the Constitution on freedom of the press and Title 26, Chapter 12.70 of the Penal Law on abuse of authority.
At the same time, the SCE did not spare the journalist, describing Doloquee’s decision to record video without consent as a serious ethical breach.
The action, the report stressed, directly violated Article 27 of the PUL Code of Ethics, which forbids journalists from gathering information by deceptive means.
The Committee’s criticism also extended to OK FM and FrontPage Africa, faulting both outlets for issuing public condemnations against Minister Piah without granting him a right of reply or consulting the Union before escalating the dispute. Such conduct, it warned, violates Article 19 of the PUL Code of Conduct on fairness and balance.
In its recommendations, the PUL called for, Journalists to strictly adhere to the Union’s Code of Ethics, especially during interviews.
Media institutions to consult the PUL before issuing condemnations against public officials.
Government officials to respect due process and avoid unilateral, heavy-handed actions against journalists.
The establishment of clear protocols to govern interactions between the media and government.
Disciplinary measures for journalists and outlets that disregard ethical standards.
The Committee, comprising Sulonteh-Brown, Atty. Bruce S. B. Boweh and human rights advocate Adama Kiatamba Dempster, concluded that the Sanniquellie incident exposed deep fractures between state power and press responsibility.
It urged stronger collaboration between the media and government, warning that repeated violations on both sides could erode public trust in Liberia’s fragile democracy.
It may be recalled, an incident occurred on Saturday, September 13, 2025, between Liberian Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah and journalist D. Franklin Doloquee in Sanniquellie, Nimba County.
During a press engagement, Piah allegedly seized Doloquee’s phone and deleted photos and videos the journalist had recorded, which Piah claimed was done without prior approval for video recording. Doloquee’s employer, OK FM, states that Piah forcibly seized the phone after the journalist declined to delete the recordings, and has not yet returned the device. OK FM condemned the incident as an assault and violation of press freedom. However, according to other reports Minister Piah’s associates, Doloquee began recording video without prior approval, despite an agreement for audio-only recording. Piah reportedly demanded the deletion of the unauthorized recording, and when Doloquee surrendered the phone for verification, Piah deleted the content himself. Doloquee later filed a formal complaint with the Press Union of Liberia (PUL).
The PUL launched an investigation into the incident, urging professionalism and restraint from all sides. The PUL formed a three-member committee to investigate, with findings expected to be submitted by September 19, 2025.
