PYJ apologizes to correspondent Franklin Doloquee

Senator Prince Johnson of Nimba County has reportedly apologized publicly to Reporter Franklin Doloquee, a NewDawn’s correspondent based in the county. Reporter Doloquee was allegedly flogged and his gadgets, including recorder, camera, mobile phone and money were confiscated on the alleged orders of Senator Johnson about five months ago.

Report from Nimba says the senator over the weekend in Saclepea openly apologized to Franklin Doloquee for the flogging and returned journalistic gadgets that were taken away by his (Johnson’s) supporters. Johnson cried for mercy in Saclepea and also begged for the lifting of media blackout imposed on him by community radio stations in the county which lasted for five months.

Reporter Doloquee was flogged by Johnson’s supporters while covering a standoff between the supporters and a youth group during a radio talk show broadcast on the Voice of Gompa Radio in Ganta, Nimba County.

The Nimba County Community Radio Station or NICORA subsequently placed a media blackout against the senator after he refused to apologize. When Johnson failed to respond to communication writing about the flogging of Franklin Doloquee, the Nimba Community Radio Association issued a blackout on June 10, 2014 against all activities of the senator and his associates.

The flogging on the premises of Voice of Gompa occurred on the night of May 20, 2014 when some staff of Senator Johnson stormed the radio station and disrupted an ongoing talk show. The blackout was the last resort after attempts to encourage Senator Johnson office to responsibly and reasonably address the situation had failed.

On 30 May 2014 NICORA delivered a strongly worded communication to Senator Prince Johnson, condemning the incident and expressing total indignation for lack of remorse by the Senator.