Veteran Liberian educator and former Deputy Education Minister for Administration, Amb. Latim Dathong, is advocating for widespread public education on Liberia's new Cybercrime Law. He warns that enforcement without adequate awareness could expose thousands of Liberians, particularly young social media users, to prosecution for conduct they may not fully understand. Dathong, founder and board chairman of Starz University, made the call amid renewed national debate over the law following the arrest of a young Liberian over online content involving Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung.
Dathong's call for public education comes as Liberia becomes increasingly dependent on smartphones, social media, mobile money, online banking, and other digital platforms. He acknowledges the growing risks associated with cybercrime but argues that the passage of a law is not enough if the people expected to comply with it are unfamiliar with its provisions. Dathong questions how many Liberians know that a cybercrime law exists, understand its specific provisions, or know what actions could constitute cybercrime and the potential consequences of violating the law.
The Cybercrime Law has emerged as a subject of broader debate over online conduct, criminal accountability, and freedom of expression. Supporters point to the need to protect individuals, businesses, and public institutions from digital threats. Critics and some legal and political figures have raised concerns about how certain provisions could be interpreted and enforced. The debate intensified following the arrest of a young Liberian in connection with an allegedly manipulated or AI-generated image involving Vice President Koung.
Dathong commended Vice President Koung for calling for the release of the young Liberian whose case helped reignite the national discussion. He believes the Vice President demonstrated leadership, compassion, and an understanding of the bigger picture. Dathong argues that Koung's intervention provides an opportunity for a broader national conversation about how new laws are introduced and enforced, particularly where citizens may not yet fully understand their provisions.
Dathong urged the government to take public education about the law to schools, universities, communities, churches, mosques, and businesses, while also using social media platforms to reach young people. He emphasized that the law should be explained in simple language so citizens can understand both their obligations and protections under it. Dathong stressed that enforcement and public education should proceed together, saying that cybercrime laws must be enforced, but citizens must first be given practical information about what the legislation prohibits and the rights and responsibilities it creates.
The controversy surrounding the Cybercrime Law and the arrest of the young Liberian has triggered a separate legal discussion over the authority and procedures governing the release of a person already in police custody. Dathong's advocacy for public education on the law has sparked a national conversation about the importance of citizen awareness and understanding of new laws. He concluded by emphasizing that public education is crucial before punishing people for breaking a law they may not understand.
Key points
- Educator Amb. Latim Dathong is calling for public education on Liberia's new Cybercrime Law to prevent prosecutions of citizens who don't understand the law.
- The law has sparked debate over online conduct, criminal accountability, and freedom of expression.
- Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung's intervention in the case of a young Liberian arrested over online content has provided an opportunity for a broader national conversation about the introduction and enforcement of new laws.
