By: Godgift Harris
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has strongly 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” could pose a serious threat to freedom of speech and expression in Liberia.
Speaking during a public hearing on March 9, 2026, PUL President, Julius Kanubah, cautioned lawmakers that altering the landmark KAK Act would reverse hard-won democratic gains that decriminalized several anti-free speech offenses in the country.
According to him, the proposed amendment undermines both the spirit and intent of the KAK Act, which repealed restrictive provisions such as criminal libel against the President, sedition, and criminal malevolence.
“The Press Union of Liberia is deeply concerned that the proposed amendment would undermine the progress made under the KAK Act.
The draft legislation risks re-criminalizing free speech and press freedom in Liberia,” Kanubah stated.
He further noted that the proposed Protection from Gender-Based Online Abuse and Harassment Act of 2026 could create avenues for public officials to target and punish citizens for critical expressions, particularly on digital platforms.
While the PUL does not support the use of abusive or insulting language, Kanubah stressed that criminalizing such conduct would be a disproportionate response that could undermine democratic freedoms.
Under the draft legislation, individuals found guilty of using insulting, obscene, or harassing language on social media platforms, internet forums, or other electronic communications could face up to two years imprisonment, fines ranging between 50,000 and 500,000 Liberian dollars, or both, depending on the ruling of the court.
The PUL argued that such penalties are unnecessary, noting that existing civil remedies under Section 17.3 of the Penal Law of 1978 already address disorderly conduct and abusive language.
Instead of amending the KAK Act, the Union has urged lawmakers to focus on existing legislative frameworks, including provisions within the proposed Cybercrime Act currently under consideration by the Legislature.
Kanubah appealed to the Joint Committee on Judiciary, Information, Broadcasting, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism, as well as the entire House of Representatives, to reject the amendment.
“To amend the KAK Act would set a dangerous precedent and risk sending people to jail simply for exercising their constitutional rights,” he warned.
The PUL President also expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend among some public officials in the Executive, Judiciary, and Legislative Branches to punish citizens for critical expressions.
The PUL’s stance has received support from several prominent figures, including Kwame Clement, Founding President and Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, and Ralph Nyuma of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights.
Clement, a respected journalist and legal scholar, urged lawmakers to carefully examine the potential implications of the proposed amendment, warning that it could create a chilling effect on free speech.
The draft Gender-Based Online Abuse and Harassment Act was introduced by Nyahn Flomo, Representative of Nimba County District #2, in response to growing concerns over the misuse of social media platforms.
However, another lawmaker, Sumo Mulbah, expressed strong opposition to any legislative measure that could undermine press freedom or contradict Liberia’s obligations under international instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and various United Nations conventions.
The Press Union of Liberia has therefore called on members of the House of Representatives to stand firm in defending free speech, freedom of expression, and an independent press, describing them as essential pillars of democracy and good governance in Liberia.