Liberia's government has confirmed its intention to investigate the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) after complaints of an internet and social media shutdown during recent civil protest action.

Locals took to the streets of Monrovia on 7 June 2019 to protest corruption and economic decline.

Following a complaint lodged by Grand Bassa County District 5 representative Thomas Goshua, the House of Representatives has instructed its Committee on Posts and Telecommunications to investigate the regulator.

The twelve-hour shutdown is understood to have incurred a loss among ISPs and the government of an estimated US$109, 913 in revenue.

The Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism said the national security apparatus had informed the government that there were threats to the country on that day and admitted that online and social media platforms were blocked "because of security concerns."

Senator Sando Johnson of Bomi County was quoted by the Daily Observer newspaper as saying: "Access to information and exercising freedom of expression-especially in times of protest-is essential to help journalism, human rights defenders and demonstrators to access life-saving information and enable family and friends to stay connected," said Johnson.

The Committee on Posts and Telecommunication is expected to provide feedback within two weeks.

It is unclear as to what further action could be taken post-feedback.

The LTA had not responded to media queries at the time of publishing.