Monrovia, Liberia – January 31, 2026 — The Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), in collaboration with the Independent Information Commission (IIC), through the Liberia Media Empowerment Project (LMEP), on Thursday January 29, 2026, convened a one-day High-Level Stakeholder Dialogue on Access to Public Information in Liberia. The dialogue was held in Monrovia and brought together policymakers, political leaders, legal experts, civil society actors, and media stakeholders to examine challenges and reform priorities surrounding the implementation of Liberia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) framework.
The dialogue aimed to assess discrepancies within existing laws, policies, and institutional arrangements that affect public access to information, while identifying reform priorities to strengthen inter-institutional coordination, transparency, accountability, and open governance.
Delivering special remarks, the European Union Ambassador to Liberia Nona Deprez underscored the centrality of access to public information to democratic governance, accountability, and citizen participation. The Ambassador reaffirmed the EU’s continued support to Liberia’s governance and media reform efforts, noting that transparency and open access to information are essential pillars for combating corruption, strengthening public institutions, and fostering trust between citizens and the state. The Ambassador further emphasized that sustained collaboration among state institutions, civil society, and the media is critical to advancing effective implementation of the FOI Act.
Speaking earlier, CEMESP Executive Director, Malcolm W. Joseph, described access to public information as a cornerstone of democratic governance. He noted that the passage of the FOI Act and the establishment of the Independent Information Commission marked significant milestones in promoting open governance and empowering citizens to participate meaningfully in public affairs. However, Joseph emphasized that persistent challenges continue to undermine effective implementation of the law.
“These challenges include inconsistencies across legal and policy instruments, weak inter-institutional coordination, limited compliance by public institutions, capacity gaps, and low public awareness of information rights and obligations,” he said, adding that journalists, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens often face obstacles in obtaining timely, accurate, and complete public information.
According to Joseph, addressing these gaps is essential to strengthening democratic institutions, combating corruption, improving service delivery, and rebuilding public trust in government. He explained that the dialogue, convened under the EU-funded Liberia Media Empowerment Project implemented through Internews, was designed as a strategic platform to advance policy coherence, reinforce institutional collaboration, and promote reforms that recognize access to information as a democratic right. He stressed that the dialogue is intended to contribute to ongoing national reform processes rather than serve as a one off engagement.
The dialogue featured a distinguished panel comprising Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe, Political Leader of the Liberia People’s Party (LPP); Cllr. Bonor Varmah, Chairman of the Law Reform Commission; Atty. Patimilia Doe Paivey, Commissioner at the Independent National Commission on Human Rights; and Cllr. Bedor Wla Freeman, former Commissioner of the Independent Information commission of Liberia. Panelists examined legal inconsistencies, institutional challenges, and practical pathways for strengthening access to public information and compliance with the FOI regime.
Also speaking at the event, President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Julius K. Kanubah, expressed concern over the lack of adequate government support for the operational programs of the Independent Information Commission. He warned that without sustained funding, the Commission risks becoming ineffective, despite the FOI Act’s provisions guaranteeing its autonomy and authority.
Representing the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), John E. Tommy, Program Manager for Education and Prevention, speaking on behalf of Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra Zoe, emphasized that access to timely, accurate, and reliable public information is fundamental to combating corruption. He reaffirmed the LACC’s commitment to collaborating with CEMESP, the IIC and other stakeholders to ensure that FOI laws are effectively implemented and harmonized across institutions.
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to strengthen cooperation, pursue legal and policy reforms, and reinforce a governance culture that upholds access to public information as a democratic right and a catalyst for accountability, informed citizen participation, and sustainable peacebuilding in Liberia.
Contact Person: Malcolm W. Joseph, Exe. Dir. Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding
Email/ Tel. wleemongarjoseph@gmail.com / 00231886514357