No, HOR Press Office Did Not Put Media Restrictions On Minority Bloc Members
Claim: “Representatives Press Office Puts Media Restrictions on Minority Bloc Members.”
Source: The Closing Argument, Facebook blog
Verdict: Misleading, the press office has not put a gag on the minority bloc.
Full Text: On Monday, February 17, 2025, The Closing Argument, an online talk show, posted on its official Facebook page that Robert Haynes, director of press at the House of Representatives, ordered "media restrictions" on minority bloc members of the House of Representatives.
The blog, in its post, said Haynes has warned all accredited media institutions at the Capitol Building about the restrictions regarding reporting stories concerning members of the minority bloc. And do away with conducting live broadcasts or stories featuring members of that bloc.
According to the closing argument, Representatives Yekeh Kolubah, Representative, Montserrado County District #10, and Musa Hassan Bility, Representative, Nimba County District #7, were two lawmakers highlighted.
At the time of this check, the post generated 41 reactions, 119 comments, and 9 shares.
The House of Representatives has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since October 2024, when a group of lawmakers accused Speaker Fonati Koffa of corruption and conflict of interest—allegations he has denied.
The lawmakers, calling themselves the “majority bloc,” abandoned the main chamber and began holding sessions in the joint chamber. There, they declared the Speaker’s seat vacant and elected Representative Richard Koon of the Unity Party as their Speaker. Among other actions, the group dissolved all committees established by Speaker Koffa and reconstituted them with new members.
Verification: To verify this claim, TSM contacted the "Closing Argument" via Messenger to provide details on the claim.
They declined to respond because the fact-checker is also an employee of another media outlet. “How can I respond to your inquiry when you work for LBS?”
We also contacted Robert Haynes, director of press, House of Representatives, who clarified that it is an ongoing accreditation exercise and not a restriction on minority bloc members, sharing a press statement issued by the House.
He said the accreditation process is rigorously designed to ensure that only legitimate media outlets—print, electronic, or online television—are granted access to the House.
Haynes said Closing Argument, as a talk show platform, does not meet these standards as such; it is not eligible for such accreditation.
“Contrary to the accusations of censorship, the Press Bureau operates within the framework of the Liberian Constitution and the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act, both of which guarantee freedom of speech,” the statement said.
TSM also contacted Gerald Koinyeneh, newsroom chief at the Front Page Africa Newspaper and president of the Legislative Press Pool (LEGISPOOL). As president of LEGISPOOL, Koinyeneh said he is unaware of said information.
He said journalists assigned to the House of Representatives and Senate do not work for the Legislature or the Press Bureaus, adding that they operate independently in performing their duties.
"There is no way anyone can restrict us or dictate how we do our work," he said.
Conclusion: Our research found the claim about the House of Representatives restricting reporters or journalists from providing coverage to minority members of the House of Representatives is misleading.
