A survey conducted by the Independent Information Commission (IIC) in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia, has revealed significant gaps in public awareness of the country's Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. The survey, which involved 1,875 respondents, found that 87.6% of participants reported that they had never heard of the legislation. The IIC conducted the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Survey from October 14-17, 2026, as part of a broader initiative to strengthen public awareness and promote transparency in southeastern Liberia.
The survey also found that 85.3% of respondents did not know how to submit a Freedom of Information request, while 85.5% did not know where such requests should be submitted. Furthermore, 85.3% of respondents believed that citizens were afraid to request information from public institutions, highlighting concerns about public confidence and the practical exercise of information rights. These findings suggest that there is a need for increased public education on the FOI Act and its implementation.
Despite the limited awareness of the FOI Act, the survey revealed strong support for transparency and accountability. Approximately 95.6% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that citizens should have access to public information, while 94.9% believed that access to information improves government accountability. Additionally, 90.2% of respondents supported the need for sustained public awareness campaigns on the FOI Law. These findings indicate that there is a strong foundation for promoting transparency and accountability in Grand Gedeh County.
The survey also provided guidance on how the Commission could reach more residents with information about their rights. According to the findings, 88.9% of respondents preferred radio as a channel for FOI awareness, while 80.4% identified community engagement as another important means of public education. The results further highlighted opportunities for digital outreach, with 77.6% of respondents reporting regular internet use and 81.4% indicating willingness to use an official FOI website to learn about their rights or request public information.
The IIC also trained 25 young people from Grand Gedeh County to serve as Data Collectors and Freedom of Information Ambassadors. The training, which was held on October 14, 2026, covered topics such as the constitutional and legal foundations of the right to information, citizens' rights under the FOI Act, and the importance of professional data collection. The training equipped participants with the knowledge and skills needed to support the Commission's ongoing public education efforts.
The initiative also included a one-hour radio awareness program on TOP FM, which featured Acting Outreach Director Jutomue Doetein and Acting Compliance Director Armah B. Johnson. The program aimed to educate listeners about their rights under the FOI Act and the obligations of public institutions. Ten callers expressed dissatisfaction over difficulties they said residents faced in accessing public information, highlighting the need for increased awareness and education on the FOI Act.
The survey's findings and the initiative's outcomes offer valuable insights for the IIC to adopt a combination of radio discussions, community outreach, and digital platforms to strengthen awareness across Grand Gedeh and other underserved counties. The results underscore the need to move beyond the existence of legislation and invest in practical education that helps ordinary citizens understand how to use the law in their daily lives.
Key points
- 87.6% of respondents in Grand Gedeh County were unaware of the Freedom of Information Law.
- The survey revealed strong support for transparency and accountability, with 95.6% of respondents agreeing that citizens should have access to public information.
- The IIC trained 25 young people from Grand Gedeh County to serve as Data Collectors and Freedom of Information Ambassadors.
