Monrovia, April 26, 2002 - The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) says it's taken aback by the closure of the Analyst Newspaper by the Government of Liberia outside the due process of law.

The Union says while it has no intention to question the authority of government to legally shut down media institutions for proven wrong doing, the due process of law must be applied at every stage.

The PUL maintains that only the Judiciary has the legal authority to shut down established entities after being adjudged guilty of wrong doing.

The Union says the closure of the Analyst Newspaper also contradicts recent government pronouncements that civil liberties, including freedom of speech and of the media, would be respected under the state of emergency.

The Union is of the strong conviction that free speech and an unfettered media are cardinal to democratic dispensation and the fostering of genuine peace and stability.

The PUL says its however following with keen interest the investigation being conducted by the government on the closure of the paper.

Signed:

Malcolm W. Joseph
Secretary General/PUL
Benson Street, P.O. Box 20-4209, 1000 Monrovia 10, Liberia, Tel./Fax (231) 227105
E-mail: pul@awli.lr/pressunionofliberia@yahoo.com