Promoting Freedom of Expression in Liberia

With President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s signature in October, Liberia became the first country in West Africa to have a freedom of information law. The bill-signing ceremony itself was an unprecedented event – with the government, the media and civil society groups all celebrating a major accomplishment together. The Civil Society and Media Leadership Program (CSML), funded by USAID and implemented by IREX and the Carter Center, organized the ceremony with the Ministry of Information to celebrate the law that was four years in the making.

In the lead up, CSML provided support to a consortium of groups advocating for the passage of the bill, including The Press Union of Liberia, the Liberia Media Center, and the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP). The consortium lobbied for public hearings and met legislators and other government officials to help secure the passage of the bill.

Following the ceremony, the CSML team brought 40 journalists together for a panel discussion to introduce the basic principles of the law and discuss how the law will impact their work as journalists. The panelists also emphasized the importance of educating the public on the new law.

CSML is helping educate journalists and citizens on how best to use the new law to their advantage. The program provides training programs for journalists and civil society organizations on the steps necessary for requesting information, as well as, sessions with government officials to help prepare them to respond adequately and effectively to requests for information.