As Liberia Marks International Day For Universal Access To Information
PHOTO: CEMESP Executive Director, Malcolm W. Joseph
PRESS RELEASE
The Center for Media Studies & Peacebuilding (CEMESP) has joined the global community in commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2025 under the theme “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age.”
In a statement released in Monrovia, CEMESP highlighted the significance of access to information in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, especially as Liberia faces growing environmental and developmental challenges.
The organization praised the Government of President Joseph Boakia for Liberia’s progress under the freedom of information law , including the role of the Independent Information Commission (IIC) in championing transparency, but also stressed the urgent need for stronger implementation.
“Access to environmental information is not a luxury, but it is essential,” said Malcolm Joseph, Executive Director of CEMESP.
Mr Joseph said: “While our FOI law sets a strong foundation, legislation alone is not enough, but rather Liberia must fully harness technology, data, and transparency to empower citizens to make decisions that affect their lives and the environment.”
CEMESP commended the Government of Liberia for its support to the IIC and applauded the recent strides by the Commission to popularize the FOI law, including training sessions with ministries, agencies, and commissions to build understanding of public officials’ obligations under the law.
Despite these gains, CEMESP noted key challenges like low compliance among government institutions, limited public awareness of the FOI law, delayed responses to information requests, and major gaps in the availability of environmental data.
The release further quotes CEMESP executive Director Malcolm Joseph as calling on the government of Liberia to ensure all ministries and agencies appoint Public information officers as required under the FOI law, provide the IIC adequate funding and staffing to carry out its mandate effectively, develop open data portals and other digital platforms for environmental information, and conduct public awareness campaigns to ensure citizens understand their information rights.
As Liberia and the international community celebrate the International Day for Universal Access to Information 2025, CEMESP reaffirms that access to information is a human right, an environmental necessity, and a pillar of good governance.
The Liberia media development and access to information organization is convinced that Liberia has both the legal foundation and the civic energy to ensure that this right is meaningfully upheld for every citizen, in every county, and especially in the context of environmental threats that affect the country.
CEMESP stands ready to partner with government, civil society, communities, and international partners to see a flourishing access to information regime in Liberia, a regime that is transparent, proactive, inclusive, and capable of supporting sustainable development and environmental justice.