MONROVIA, October 8 (LINA) -Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs, Atty. Isaac Jackson, has told the leadership of the Press Union of Liberia(PUL) that a Memorandum of Understanding has no legal basis to circumvent a statutory law.

Jackson said a statutory law can only be repealed with the consent of the National Legislature via an amendment through a legally filed petition where a two-thirds majority of the lower house vote will guarantee approval of reversal.

The Deputy MICAT boss made the clarification at a news conference Tuesday in the conference hall of the Ministry of Information in Monrovia.

The provision of the legal interpretation surrounding the repeal of statutory mandates by the deputy information minister was prompted by the recent argument advanced by the PUL that it previously signed a memorandum of understanding with the former administration of the Ministry of Information to regulate media activities, such as a journalist's permit renewal.

Jackson said as provided in Chapter 31.8b of the New Executive Law, the Ministry of Information is the only body clothed with the authority to regulate communication activities in the country, and as such no document unless otherwise properly channeled via legislation, can usurp the ministry’s function.

The PUL’s argument was prompted by the recent statement by the Ministry of Information that journalists operating in the country are required by law to register or renew their permits to practice in the country in the second week of January of each year.

Jackson argued that the PUL’s error of interpreting the law was due to the fact that they did not consult a legal counsel prior to raising the argument.

“The PUL should learn to consult their lawyer before speaking on issues that have legal implications, in order to prevent the union from being looked at in a manner that does not befit the organization,” Jackson indicated.

Meanwhile the Deputy Information Minister has appealed to the PUL to continue to abide by government’s regulation by adhering to the statute law that created the Ministry of Information.
LINA WSG/TSS/PTK/JKW