The Leadership of the Legislative Press Pool (LEGISPOOL) has strongly condemned the assault on its member, S. Winston Blyden of Bana FM, by an Executive Protection Service (EPS) officer assigned to “Majority Bloc”-declared Speaker, Richard Nagbe Koon.
Journalist Blyden recounted that while covering the session of Embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Representative Thomas Goshua, Grand Bassa County’s district #5, informed him about an incident involving the forceful removal of Representative Yekeh Y. Kolubah’s vehicle.
Blyden explained that Representative Koon had ordered the removal of Representative Kolubah’s vehicle, arguing that it was parked in the official space reserved for the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
As duly accredited reporters, including Blyden, arrived at the scene to cover the unfolding event, an EPS agent assigned to Koon angrily approached him.
A video footage in LEGISPOOL’s possession shows the EPS agent obstructing Blyden, demanding that he stops livestreaming the incident on his media institution’s online platform. During the altercation, Blyden’s Camon 19 smartphone fell and was damaged.
In a press statement, LEGISPOOL described the incident an attack on press freedom and condemned the unprofessional and insensitive actions of the EPS agent. The media body emphasized that no state security officer has the authority to prevent a duly accredited journalist from covering public events, especially one as controversial as the forced removal of Representative Kolubah’s vehicle.
LEGISPOOL has called on the Executive Protection Service (EPS) to launch an immediate, impartial investigation into the matter, ensure justice for Journalist Blyden, and address the issue of the damaged equipment.
Furthermore, the organization warned all state security officers assigned to lawmakers, including those protecting “Majority Bloc” Speaker Koon, to respect and uphold the rights of journalists covering the National Legislature.
“This calculated attempt by security officers to intimidate journalists from independently carrying out their professional duties at the Capitol Building is unacceptable and must be condemned by all well-meaning citizens,” the statement read.
LEGISPOOL also warned that it will not hesitate to take legal action if such lawless, reckless, and unprofessional conduct is repeated.
Despite the intimidation, LEGISPOOL has urged its members to remain professional, determined, and unapologetic in carrying out their journalistic duties without fear or favor.