11.   ECOMOG officers have threatened to jail journalists for spreading panic among civilians.

12.   He denies violating press freedom, arguing that his government, unlike previous administrations, has never jailed any journalists or censured any newspapers.

13.   His government has jailed journalists, closed opposition media and persecuted political opponents, prompting condemnation from international human rights groups and Western politicians.

14.   His comments follow subsequently withdrawn threats by the government to jail journalists who publish leaked information about intelligence or defence matters.

15.   However, Bedie has continued to crack down on his opponents by jailing critical journalists and blocking peaceful protests.

16.   It also eliminated a section of the former legislation that allowed journalists to be jailed without charges.

17.   Journalists were also jailed, it said.

18.   Many journalists have been jailed.

19.   Removing previous safeguards against harassment of the press, the law would allow journalists to be jailed while they were under investigation on charges of libel or defamation.

20.   Publishers have criticized the crackdown, under which three journalists have been jailed for libel, saying it was an attack on the independent and opposition press.