By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
Monrovia, Liberia – The Director of Press and Public Affairs of the Liberia House of Representatives, Robert Haynes, has strongly refuted allegations that his office is censoring media coverage of specific lawmakers.
Speaking at a press conference on February 17, Haynes described the accusations, made by the Facebook talk show Closing Argument, as “unethical, stupid, and false.”
“At no point in time have we told media practitioners what to report on and who to report on,” Haynes stated. “We think as professional journalists, that is unethical, and I will not do that.”
The controversy stems from claims that the Press Bureau, under Haynes’ supervision, has restricted coverage of representatives from District 10 and District 7, particularly Honorable Musa Hassan Bility of Nimba County. However, Haynes dismissed these assertions, emphasizing that the House Press Bureau remains impartial.
“We have 73 lawmakers, and all of them are our bosses,” he explained. “We provide equal media coverage to all. The idea that we are stopping the media from covering certain legislators is unfounded.”
Limited Accreditation and Space Constraints
Haynes acknowledged that some media professionals had faced difficulties obtaining access passes, particularly during major events like the President’s Annual Message. However, he attributed this to logistical constraints rather than deliberate exclusion.
“The Executive Protection Service (EPS) issued us a limited number of access passes. Even some accredited reporters from the legislature didn’t receive passes due to restrictions. That’s not censorship—it’s simply a matter of capacity,” he clarified.
He also pushed back against the notion that talk shows like Closing Argument should be granted the same accreditation as established media institutions.
“A talk show is not a media institution. If we accredited every talk show, the Capitol building would be overrun. Accreditation is reserved for legitimate media houses with established journalists,” Haynes explained.
Call for Professionalism in Journalism
Haynes urged the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) to uphold professional journalism standards, warning against the rise of misinformation.
“This is why we say that journalists must have at least five years of national reporting experience before receiving accreditation. Journalism must be based on facts, not just having a smartphone and an audience,” he stated.
Despite the controversy, Haynes reaffirmed the House Press Bureau’s commitment to transparency.
“This is the people’s house. The public should judge media reports for what they are. Our duty remains to regulate activities fairly and ensure accurate information reaches the Liberian people,” he concluded.
