The Freedom of Expression Institute strongly condemns the action of the Liberian government for arresting four journalists on allegations of espionage. The four journalists, including a South African cameraman Gugu Radebe, were commissioned by the British television station Channel 4 to film a three part documentary, looking at Liberia, Mauritiana, Mali and Angola. They all had permission to film in Liberia and believed that they would have an interview with Liberia's President Charles Taylor, instead, they were arrested on suspicion of espionage and have been accused by that country's justice minister of "clandestine activity to injure the image and character of the president of Liberia".

FXI feels that the move by the Liberian government is against press freedom in general and that these journalists were there to do their work, not to act as spies. According to Justice Minister Eddington Varmah, officials found material on tapes that was damaging to the government and the security of the state. We strongly believe that the tapes are a true reflection of what the journalists believed should be brought into the open.

FXI tends to agree with America's Rev Jesse Jackson who is reported as having said that the arrest heightened suspicions about Liberia's involvement in helping the RUF and rebel leader Foday Sankoh. "Taylor should help Sierra Leone rid itself of civil war and not encourage the rebels," Jackson said.

FXI believes that the freedom of the press in Liberia is at stake. The country was recently listed by the International Press Institute in USA as one of the worst offenders of media freedom. Since detentions contravene the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and most international human rights instruments, we call on the Liberian government to respect that. The declaration articulates the right to receive and disseminate information.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

FXI therefore dismisses the charges of espionage because the four were engaged in a legitimate journalistic activity. We call on the government of Liberia to drop the charges against the four and release them immediately.We also call on the South African government to make an intervention on this matter and make sure that the journalists are released inb their good condition.

Issued by Nanagolo Leopeng (Information and Publications Officer) @ 011 403 8403/082 897 5452