(CEMESP/Press Release/Gbarnga, 12 September 2011: ) - The Center for Media Studies and Peace Building, (CEMESP) has concluded the final phase of Freedom of Information (FOI) Literacy Stakeholders forum in Gbarnga under the theme: Increasing Public Information Flow and Freedom of Expression in Liberia.

Unlike the Monrovia forum of 5th September 2011 that attracted participants from amongst Lawmakers, Media Executives and CSOs; the Gbarnga forum targeted County Local Authorities and Community radio Journalists from Lofa, Bong, Nimba and Margibi counties.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, CEMESP’s Executive Director Malcolm Joseph disclosed that the stakeholders’ forum represented a segment of its FOI Literacy Research and Publication Project funded by UNESCO.

He spoke to the ongoing research component of the project, which holds test-case implication for MRU countries in the context of post conflict electoral environment. Whilst referring to the Liberian historic enactment of the law, being the first in West Africa, Malcolm Joseph noted that there is much lacking in terms of implementation.

“This is why CEMESP has targeted stakeholders outside Monrovia to brainstorm around issues that can push implementation forward under the facilitation and insight of one of the best FOI minds, in person of Edet Ojo of Media Rights Agenda in Nigeria,” Malcolm Joseph pointed out. He urged participants to ask questions, adding that FOI law is not only media oriented but speaks to the generality of the welfare of the citizenry.

Other speakers who registered goodwill to the process included: President of the Association of Liberia Community Radios William Quire; Paramount Chief and Chairman of Traditional Leaders of Bong County Flomo T. Barwror; Mayor of Gbarnga city Esther C. Warbay; The Chairman of the Bong Legislative caucus Hon. George Mulbah and the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Bong County.

The forum had three presentation sessions, covering historic and international perspectives of F reedom of Information; Features of the Liberia FOI Act 2010; and Ensuring Effective Implementation.

A communiqué was eventually adopted, with participants pledging among other things: to expedite FOI implementation in Liberia; lobbying government on the issue of instituting the Office of the Independent Information Commissioner; making future amends of ambiguous and inconsistent areas of the law; media and CSOs to embark on awareness raising of the law to stimulate public usage; stakeholders monitoring implementation of the FOI law; the legislature to take leadership in implementation of the law; CSOs and media to read and understand the Act with a view of making requests to enhance the quality and accuracy of their work.

Signed:________________________

Malcolm W. Joseph
Executive Director