MONROVIA, November 17 – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) issued a release late Wednesday calling on its members to avoid all programs of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).

The Union said the action that extends to all press conferences, rallies and meetings at the party's headquarters will remain in force until the party can guarantee the safety of journalists attending CDC's functions.

The PUL said since the presidential runoff election, it has recorded five cases of CDC supporters beating up journalists on the party's compound. CDC executives masterminded some of these attacks, according to the Union. It said scores of international journalists have had their share of the CDC violence.

Attacks have, however, intensified since the Union protested to the party leadership on the manhandling of journalist, according to the release. The PUL, therefore, said it strongly believes that the party sanctions these attacks on journalists.

The Union enumerated that on November 8 the party supporters attacked a team of Radio Veritas reporters after a setup by CDC executive, Milton Teahjay, while George Borteh of the Analyst newspaper was flogged the next day. Both incidents occurred at the CDC Congo Town headquarters.

The PUL also referred to cases on 11 and 15 of November when CDC supporters beat up journalists Throble Suah of the Daily Observer, Abbas Dolleh of the New Democratic and Alloysious David of the News newspaper.

Journalist David was flogged on orders of former rebel general and strong CDC supporter, Ranny Gbartu.

The Union said in some of these attacks, both local and international journalists sustained injuries and lost their working materials and identification cards.

Such “uncivilized” behaviors, according to the PUL, represent a huge draw back on gains made in adherence to democratic values in Liberia.

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