By Raine Tarka Golegio, Monrovia
Police in Monrovia have arrested three (3) Journalists working with an FM station for allegedly blackmailing and extorting money.
The suspects are Israel Duncan and Melvin Moden Of Spoon Communication Network, owner of Spoon FM/TV/Fabric/Super FM and Tennyson Torplue, an unknown online TV respectively.
According to Police Spokesperson, Moses Carter, Six Journalists were involved in the duping of Mr. Philip Bayor Dwuye, Sr. President and CEO of the FOE- BE Agriculture Corporation but the others are currently on the run.
The three gentlemen were arrested and handed over for further investigation.
Meanwhile, Spoon Group of Companies Liberia Inc. has condemned in no uncertain terms, acts deemed incompatible with the Code and Ethics of the journalism profession, perpetuated by a group of Liberian journalists including two of its employees, Israel Duncan and Melvin Moden.
The station through its CEO, Mr. Stanton A. Witherspoon, upon hearing the news last night, immediate broke the news on the Spoon Talk, distancing the station from the alleged extortion.
Additionally, the Spoon Group of Companies has suspended indefinitely and with immediate effect, Duncan and Moden pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The management and staff of Spoon Group of Companies are deeply saddened by this selfish act allegedly committed by Israel and Melvin. We applaud the Liberia National Police for their vigilance so far and therefore encourage them to fully investigate the two crimes committed in this situation, the alleged extortion and statutory rape of a 17-year-old Liberian girl, to ensure total closure for all parties involved”, a release from Spoon Network noted.
However, the Independent Journalists Association Republic of Liberia has with immediate effect expelled Journalists, Tennyson Torplue, Thomas Tower and Jospeh Somah for their alleged engagement into unethical journalism for allegedly duping Philip Bayor.
The group condemned the act of their colleagues and urged the Liberia National Police (LNP) to properly investigate and prosecute those Journalists involved in such unethical act of Journalism.
