AUTHORITIES in Liberia closed down the independent Star Radio and suspended broadcast by the Catholic-run Radio Veritas, accusing them of abusing press freedom and freedom of speech on Wednesday. A government statement broadcast on President Charles Taylor’s private radio station blamed “security threats created by agents and provocateurs (sic) using the news media to abuse the unprecedented freedom of speech and press now prevailing in the country.” The two stations went off the air abruptly at 0700GMT on Wednesday morning when three jeeps loaded with police officers armed with automatic assault rifles, and led by police chief, Paul Mulbah, stormed their premises to seal them.