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Headlines
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Written by Jay Harding
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Monday, 27 February 2012 23:51 |
The Government of Liberia and the Carter Center on Monday February 27, 2012 extended the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
In 2011, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICAT) and Carter Center signed the MOU, which saw Carter Center supporting the ministry which in turn worked to see the passage into law of the FOI Law.
The extension of the MOU is geared toward the full realization of the law, and to make it more people-centered.
Carter Center representative, Laura Newman said the FOI was an important regulation aimed at providing accountability and transparency. Madam Newman further said the law was a basic human right and a complement to the right to education, healthcare and environmental security.
She admonished the Government of Liberia to work hard towards the implementation of the law, which she said will aid greatly the process of democratization. She affirmed that the implementation of the law was a towering task.
“The implementation of the Freedom of Information Act is a paradigm shift from secrecy to one of openness,” she told the short signing ceremony held at the ministry on Capitol Hill. For his part, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Lewis Brown thanked Carter Center for the support, and pledged the Government of Liberia’s commitment to the terms of the MOU.
Brown said the FOI Act was not only intended for journalists, but for all Liberians who were hopeful to see a “newer, freer and fairer society”. The MICAT boss added that the MOU was a “shot in the arm” to government to do everything possible for the implementation of the FOI Law.
He thanked the United States Agency International Development (USAID) for being supportive throughout the period of the first phase of the MOU, as well as in other areas.
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