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Politics News

PUL fines Nation Times Newspaper

PUL Boss Kamara NDThe Press Union of Liberia has fined the Nation Times Newspaper L$2,500 for ethical breach and requested its Publisher, journalist Octavin Williams, to apologize and retract a misleading headline against Vice President Joseph Boakai in a story published on April 8, 2015.

According to a press release, the decision was recommended by the PUL Grievance and Ethics Committee and endorsed by the Union’s Executive Committee following investigations into a complaint filed by the Liberian Government, through the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT).

MICAT on April 8, 2015, filed a letter of complaint with the PUL, claiming “unethical reporting” by the Nations Times, after the paper carried a front page lead captioned “VP BOAKAI IN CORRUPTION ACT— Over $68 Million Disappears In Thin Air.”

During the investigations, the Grievance and Ethics Committee found that the paper wrongly phrased the headlines of its April 8, 2015 front page lead story. The release said selection to coin the headline in such a definitive fashion was a lapse in news judgment, making it appear as though Vice President Joseph Boakai and his office had already been convicted of corruption.

Article 11 of the PUL Code of Conduct and Ethics denounces use of misleading headlines: “The Journalist should not engage in negative journalism, misleading headlines and fabrications. Newspapers should be fully warranted by the contents of the articles they accompany. Photographs should give an accurate picture of an event and not highlight an event out of context.”

The investigation shows that the Vice President has neither been forwarded to the Justice Ministry for investigation nor did he appear in court for any judicial action in connection with the report.

The Committee’s report however noted that despite the professional breach, the Nation Times story reflected the various voices including a reaction from the Vice President’s Chief of Office Staff, Mr. Sam Stevequoah, in reporting details of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission report.

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The PUL said while it remains committed to advocating for greater press freedom and social justice, it will not relent in cautioning and penalizing its members and other journalists who slip away from the ethical path of professional journalism.

Meanwhile, the Press Union of Liberia will this Friday, July 10, 2015 hold its Annual Awards Night and Dinner ceremony at the Paynesville City Hall at 7PM. The event is meant to recognize journalists and media institutions that performed with distinction during the course of the last one year.

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