The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has rejected a proposed amendment to the Kamara Abdullah Kamara (KAK) Act of Press Freedom, warning that the draft “Gender-Based Online Abuse and Harassment Act” poses a serious threat to free speech and democratic gains in Liberia.
At a public hearing on Monday, PUL President Julius Kanubah cautioned lawmakers that altering the landmark KAK Act would reverse reforms that decriminalized speech-related offenses. “The Press Union of Liberia is deeply concerned that the proposed amendment undermines the spirit of the KAK Act, which repealed oppressive laws such as criminal libel against the President, sedition, and criminal malevolence,” Kanubah said. He argued that the draft legislation risks re‑criminalizing free expression.
The proposed law, introduced by Representative Nyahn Flomo of Nimba County, District 2, seeks to penalize insulting, obscene, or harassing language on social media and electronic platforms. Offenders could face up to two years in prison or fines ranging from fifty to five hundred thousand Liberian dollars. Kanubah stressed that while the PUL does not condone abusive language, criminalizing such conduct is disproportionate. He noted that civil remedies under Section 17.3 of the Penal Law of 1978 already address disorderly conduct.
The PUL urged lawmakers to reject the amendment, pointing out that online abuse issues are covered in the draft Cybercrime Act currently before the legislature. “To amend the KAK Act would set a dangerous precedent and risk sending people to jail simply for exercising their constitutional rights,” Kanubah said, adding that some officials in the judiciary, executive, and legislature appear increasingly inclined to punish critical voices.
Prominent figures have echoed the PUL’s concerns. Kwame Clement, founding president and dean of the Liberia School of Law, and Ralph Nyuma of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights both warned that the amendment could chill free speech. Clement, a respected journalist and legal academic, urged lawmakers to scrutinize the proposal carefully.
Opposition has also emerged within the legislature. Representative Sumo Mulbah, a member of the House Joint Committee, voiced strong resistance to any measure that undermines press freedom or violates Liberia’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and UN conventions.
The PUL insists that Liberia’s democratic progress depends on safeguarding free speech and a free press. It called on the House of Representatives to uphold the KAK Act and resist efforts to weaken constitutional protections.
