The Daylight, an environmental news platform in Liberia, has faced ongoing cyber-attacks. The attacks, which started in late 2023, are believed to be linked to the site’s investigative reporting on illegal environmental practices. The Daylight’s recent investigation exposed an illegal rock quarry in Harrisburg, Montserrado County, which was polluting the environment by destroying homes and contaminating water sources. This report prompted further investigation by the House of Representatives Committee on Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Environment.
The cyber-attacks on The Daylight have disrupted the site’s operations, making it inaccessible even to users with secure antivirus systems. The malware attacks began in late 2023 and were reportedly resolved by May 2024, but the site continues to experience targeted attacks. James Harding Giahyue, Managing Editor of The Daylight, reported these issues to the Press Union of Liberia and the Liberia National Police for further investigation.
The Daylight’s coverage has highlighted significant environmental violations, including illegal mining and companies failing to honor agreements with local communities, which are contributing to the depletion of Liberia’s forest cover. The ongoing attacks against the platform appear to be a response to its critical reporting on these environmental issues.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has condemned the cyber-attacks on The Daylight and called on Liberian authorities to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable. The attacks include deceptive social media messages that attempt to trap users, further complicating the situation for the news platform.
