Liberia: Cybercrime law accused of threatening freedom of expression

The Liberian cybercrime law, promulgated on July 3, 2026, by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai after more than four years of parliamentary review, is now the subject of public debate regarding its true scope. The text punishes unauthorized access to computer systems, fraud and forgery, identity theft, and child sexual exploitation content. However, it also covers cyberbullying, threats, incitement to violence or damage, non-consensual distribution of intimate images, and a category of "harmful data messages" whose boundaries worry journalists.

The warning from West African journalists

The president of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA), Peter Quaqua, believes that several provisions are drafted too broadly and could criminalize journalism, activism, and political criticism, reports FrontPage Africa. "What happens when a law gives the state unlimited powers?" he asks in essence, targeting the articles on cyberbullying, racist or xenophobic content, and messages deemed harmful.

The memory of the 2019 reform

This concern is based on a precedent of which Liberia was proud. In 2019, the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act decriminalized several speech-related offenses, including criminal defamation and sedition against public officials, a step forward that was praised in the region. Peter Quaqua warns against the return of these restrictions through digital channels.

The government defends itself, a senator proposes safeguards

Senator for River Gee County, Francis Saidy Dopoh II, who chairs the Senate Committee on Posts and Telecommunications, supports the implementation of the text. "This law does not intend to silence freedom of expression," he stated according to allAfrica, assuring that honest opinion, criticism of the government, journalism, and peaceful protest are not targeted. He is calling for the establishment of the Liberia National Cybersecurity Center (LNCC) and the Computer Emergency Response Team (LCERT), clear guidelines, training for law enforcement, a permanently available emergency contact, and awareness campaigns.

His colleague from Nimba County, Nya D. Twayen Jr., supports the law's objective but proposes guarantees: requiring prosecutors to prove intent and actual harm, subjecting media-related cases to higher hierarchical oversight, and consulting civil society before finalizing implementation directives.

The first case opened under this text involves the arrest of Jerry Nyantee Wrotto, suspected of cyberbullying Vice President Jeremiah Koung. No court decision has been rendered at this stage, and the presumption of innocence applies. It is on this case and the implementation directives yet to be written that the true scope of the law will be determined.