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MONROVIA \u2013 A DayLight investigation was selected as one of the best in Africa<\/a>, the online environmental newspaper\u2019s first international recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) chose \u201cHow a Family Smuggled Timber for over a Decade<\/a>\u201d for May. It was listed alongside investigations from Kenya, Nigeria and Mozambique in the GIJN monthly recognition of great African works. Established in 2003,\u00a0\u00a0GIJN<\/a> supports, promotes and produces investigative journalism, with 250 members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a victory for Liberian journalism,\u201d said James Harding Giahyue, DayLight\u2019s Director\/Managing Editor, who conducted the investigation. \u201cOur team, partners and networks need this motivation, as we hold extractive and environmental actors to account.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The DayLight was unaware of the feat until recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the investigation, Giahyue dug through documents to shed light on how a Caldwell family forged paperwork, evaded taxes and trafficked timber for 14 years. He reviewed shipping records, trade websites, a WhatsApp chat and audio recordings to expose the family. It was a follow-up to a previous story<\/a> by Varney Kamara, The DayLight\u2019s senior reporter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The investigation led to a police inquiry into tax evasion, forgery and economic sabotage against Ben Wesseh, the suspect. However, there has been no indictment, some five months later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also led to a change in the Ministry of Agriculture department that issues phytosanitary certificates, which certify that timber is free of pests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The DayLight was established in 2020 with a mission to produce evidence-based stories from nature\u2019s frontiers, as well as inspire a new generation of Liberian investigative journalists. It coordinates the Community of Forest and Environmental Journalists (CoFEJ), which has over three dozen members nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since its first publication in April 2021, The DayLight has won four national awards<\/a>, two each in 2022 and 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n DayLight investigations have led to four prosecutions<\/a>, five police probes<\/a>, at least two Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fines<\/a>, three suspensions, and two dismissals<\/a> of a forest ranger and a police commander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They have also led to an FDA reshuffle<\/a>, an EPA halting<\/a> of an illegal carbon deal, inspired a legislative inquest<\/a> of a quarry company, and led to a ban<\/a> on a certain logging activity, known as block wood or \u201ckpokolo.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Top: The DayLight was established in 2020 and began publishing in 2021. By Gabriel Dixon MONROVIA \u2013 A DayLight investigation was selected as one of the best in Africa, the online environmental newspaper\u2019s first international recognition. The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) chose \u201cHow a Family Smuggled Timber for over a Decade\u201d for May. 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Our evidence-based, independent and quality news contents tell you all the happenings across nature\u2019s frontiers and the extractive sector in Liberia. From forestry and fisheries to wildlife conservation and climate change, from renewable energy and land rights to oil\/gas and oil palm, we bring you news on everything about the environment you need to know. 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