3 Mins Read
By Joseph Tumbey

The Commissioner of the Independent Information Commission (IIC), Cllr. MARK Bedor Wla Freeman calls on all Journalists to demand accountability and transparency not only from the Governmental entities but also from the Non- governmental organizations NGOS and donors that handle vast resources on behalf of the country.
Speaking at the round- 3 of the Freedom of Information investigative Journalism fellowship Roundtable discussion in Gbanga, Bong County on Tuesday September 20, 2022. Cllr. Freeman said, Access to Information is an anti-corruption as well as an accountability and transparency tool that is so vital to the advancement of the country.
“My only appeal is that you be objective and open-minded. Your investigative journalism or stories should target not only the government, but also the NGO and donor communities. This approach is necessary because there is also lack of
transparency and accountability with some NGOs and donors as it is with government ministries and agencies”, the IIC Boss appeals with Journalists.
According to him, there is corruption and lack of transparency in some government institutions but there must be accountability and transparency from the NGOS and donors that also handle vast resources on behalf of the country.
He said, as IIC is the oversight body for access to information, established by the Liberia Freedom of Information (FOI) Act of 2010. Its objectives are: a. To promote effective, equitable and inexpensive exercise of the right of access to information, b. To establish clear and concise procedures for requesting and
providing information held by (i) public bodies and (i) private entities receiving public benefits or performing public functions or providing public service and to provide appropriate penalties and other sanctions for wrongful failure to keep and or provide information among others.
He claimed to be eager to see Journalists succeeding in promoting an access to information through the implementation of the Freedom of Information FOI act focusing the Government accountability through investigation.
The Commissioner recognizes the importance of Access to information,
as a critical tool or mechanism for citizens to exercise their voice, effectively monitor and hold government and other institutions to account, and to enter into dialogue about decisions which affect their lives.
“As most of you may already know, FOl or access to information is a fundamental human right, guaranteed by a strong national and international legal framework.

Independent Information Commission was the first IIC in Africa which was acted on in 2010 and passed into law by the Legislature in 2012 but lacking adequate resources to compete with its African counterparts established after her”, Cllr. Freeman noted.
He however, declares his institution losing its glory for being unable to satisfy some of her international obligations in the past few years due to the lack of budgeting support.
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