(CEMESP) - Few months ago, the long awaited Freed of Information Bill was passed by an act of the National Legislature but how the information are assessed unstring, its successful implementation and possible guide against misunderstanding and misuse is what policy makers and stakeholders in Liberia, from within government, the media and media support groups are presently concerned with.

Freedom of Information Act awareness meeting participants

Over the weekend in Monrovia, stakeholders at an awareness meeting on Freedom of Information Act have said the setting up of hotlines within various government ministries and agencies, as well as private agencies in the country in a bid create what they called a friendly environment, will to an assessable tool to the general public in getting information promptly as needed.

At the one national stakeholder awareness meeting on the Freedom of Information Act organized by the Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP) with support from International Media Support in Denmark, participants also stressed the need and recommended that public bulletins be displayed at various ministries and agencies for public use with the help of a public officer who will help for smooth transmission of needed information. A public resource center was another recommendation that resulted from the one day awareness meeting.

Internet services, participants claim, will serve as another effective accessible medium, because by that, information can be accessed quickly to the users that may need them; saving the time and cost attached to getting to research centers.

Earlier Cllr. Negbalee Warner, a consultant on the Freedom Of Information, highlighted key provisions of the act to participants. He urged that without any preconditions, information should be granted anyone who needs them except the information needed was intended to create public discord. He however encouraged the gathering of stakeholder to make a good use of the FOI act.

For his part, the Executive Director for the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building, Malcolm Joseph, told participants that the FOI laws have taken immediate effect and that they should make use of the laws by reviewing and using it for public good.

He pointed out that unlike before when information were given reluctantly or at the discretion of public officials, the passage of the FOI provides a great opportunity for the public to access information without strings. CEMESP Executive Director lauded Government for passing the bill; noting that Liberia is the first West African country to t have legislated such bill into law.

The one day awareness meeting highlighted three parallel sessions including strategies to enforce the FOI in Liberia and suggestions on designing publication schemes at various agencies as well as new media as an important link to effectuating FOI.

Recommendations of participants at the end of the session were adopted and approved. The forum was held over the weekend at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center on the St. Teresa’s Convent campus in Monrovia.

It brought together Public Relation Officers of various ministries and agencies, Civil Society and Media personnel and was aimed at giving a clearer insight of the newly approved FOI laws.