Liberia: Freedom of Information Act becomes law

October 7th, 2010

Liberia has become the first West African nation to introduce a Freedom of Information Act. In a move welcomed by free expression groups across the country, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf signed the new legislation on the 4 October. The law comes after two years of intense lobbying by the Centre of Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP) and other members of the Liberia Freedom of Expression Coalition. According to presidential press secretary Cyrus Wleh Badio, the president is to be honoured with an award from the African Editors’ Forum.

Freedom of Information extension “dissapointing”

July 20th, 2009

The Ministry of Justice has announced plans to incorporate only four new bodies in the Freedom of Information Act after lengthy consultation. These include the Association of Chief Police Officers, Academy schools, the Financial Ombudsman Service and UCAS. Companies that provide public services will not be brought within the Act, a decision The Campaign for Freedom of Information have said is extremely disappointing given the growing role the private sector had in providing public services. Read more here