Monrovia – The Citizens Action Movement (CAM), a grassroots civil society group, has launched a scathing attack on businessman and politician Simeon Freeman, accusing him of economic exploitation and monopolistic practices through his company, DStv Liberia. CAM claims Freeman has bled Liberian households dry for over two decades with exorbitant subscription fees while delivering “substandard service.”
In a press statement released Monday, CAM called on the Liberian public to “rise up and end monopoly in Liberia,” urging a mass boycott of DStv Liberia services. The group credited emerging competitor SATCOM for breaking Freeman’s alleged stranglehold on televised content in the country.
“The people of Liberia had been suffering in the hands of Simeon Freeman and his DStv high subscription fees until SATCOM came to our aid and started showing the games for a minimum cost—far lower than what Freeman and his DStv is exploiting from poor Liberians,” CAM said.
CAM accused Freeman of using his political influence to undermine SATCOM, which has reportedly been offering Liberians access to local and international content at a more affordable rate. The group argued that Freeman’s attacks on SATCOM are motivated not by legality, but by selfish financial interests.
“Wicked Simeon Freeman has been exploiting the Liberian people for the past 20 years and SATCOM came to deliver,” the statement continued. “He wants SATCOM to end services already paid for, just so he can continue to enrich himself.”
A comparison of DSTV subscription rates across Africa paints a stark picture. In Nigeria, for example, the Premium Package costs roughly $27 per month. In Liberia, the same package is sold for a staggering $91.00.
DSTV Nigeria vs DSTV Liberia Price Comparison:
Premium:
• Nigeria: ₦44,500 ($27 USD)
• Liberia: $91.00 USD
• Compact Plus:
• Nigeria: ₦30,000 ($18 USD)
• Liberia: $59.00 USD
• Compact:
• Nigeria: ₦19,000 ($11 USD)
• Liberia: $28.00 USD
• Family:
• Nigeria: ₦11,000 ($6 USD)
• Liberia: $21.00 USD
• Access:
• Nigeria: ₦6,000 ($3 USD)
• Liberia: $14.00 USD
CAM argues that such price differences amount to economic injustice.
“Other African countries like Nigeria have far cheaper prices. Compare DStv Nigeria and DStv Liberia and you will know this man called Simeon Freeman has been stealing from poor Liberians.” CAM also accused Freeman of attempting to “politically sabotage” SATCOM, which they described as a grassroots-oriented company “doing business with the same Liberians who have paid for months.”
“Should SATCOM cut off those people and pay them back because one failed politician called Simeon Freeman is no longer making money like before?”
While Freeman and DStv Liberia have yet to publicly respond to the allegations, the statement from CAM is likely to intensify public scrutiny. Many Liberians have long expressed frustration at rising costs of basic services, including entertainment, in a country where the average citizen earns less than US$2 a day.
CAM concluded by calling on the government to step in. “We urge the public to boycott DStv Liberia until the government can address this criminal act. We believe that the attack on SATCOM has a political undertone aimed at destroying an entity that is helping ordinary Liberians.”
This controversy puts a spotlight not only on Freeman’s business dealings but also on the broader issue of economic disparity in Liberia’s telecommunications and entertainment industries. As tensions rise, the people’s patience appears to be wearing thin.
