Monrovia, February 17, 2025 – The Grievance and Ethics Committee of the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) has officially cleared Secretary General Edwin T.K. Dolo of bribery allegations after a thorough investigation.
In a report presented to SWAL leadership, Committee Chair and veteran journalist Ernest McKay stated that interviews with all relevant parties revealed no credible evidence supporting claims that Mr. Dolo accepted a bribe to suppress a news story.
The allegations stemmed from a Facebook post by journalist James Goodday Flomo, who accused Mr. Dolo of receiving a bribe to withhold a report alleging that Paynesville FC President Hilary Sackie had placed certain players on the payroll of the House of Representatives. However, the investigation determined that the accusations were rooted in a personal vendetta rather than factual evidence.
Testimonies from multiple sources, including Mr. Sackie himself, refuted the claims. Mr. Sackie categorically denied offering a bribe, questioning the logic of such an allegation since the story had already been published, ultimately leading to his removal from his position.
The committee concluded that the accusations were baseless and recommended that SWAL officially dismiss the claims against Mr. Dolo. The report underscored the importance of ethical journalism and urged members to resolve disputes through appropriate channels rather than resorting to personal attacks.
“It is crucial for SWAL to maintain an environment of trust and professionalism, allowing members to carry out their duties without fear of baseless accusations,” the report stated. It also recommended strengthening internal safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
SWAL leadership welcomed the findings, reaffirming its commitment to journalistic integrity and accountability while emphasizing that ethical standards must be upheld in all reporting.
