Sierra Leone has become a focal point in the global fight against misinformation and disinformation as it hosts the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC). The conference, which opened on September 28, 2026, at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, Freetown, brings together information commissioners, access-to-information regulators, and other international stakeholders. The event is being hosted by Sierra Leone’s Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, the International Conference of Information Commissioners, and UNESCO.
The ICIC Chair and Albania’s Information Commissioner, Besnik Dervishi, called for stronger international cooperation to address information disorder. He warned that rapid technological developments and the spread of unreliable information are creating challenges for open governance and public trust. Dervishi emphasized that access to information goes beyond the existence of statutory rights, and citizens must also have access to reliable information that enables them to participate meaningfully in public affairs and hold institutions accountable.
The conference is being held under the theme, “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.” Discussions are focused on timely and reliable public information, transparency, information integrity, digital technologies, and measures to address misinformation and disinformation. The programme includes high-level discussions, technical sessions, and regional engagements.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the ICIC and UNESCO is scheduled for signing during the conference, providing a framework for closer cooperation between international standard-setting and national implementation. This partnership aims to strengthen cooperation across jurisdictions and help regulators respond more effectively to emerging information challenges.
Sierra Leone’s Information Commissioner and RAIC Chairman, Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, welcomed delegates to the conference, describing the gathering as an opportunity to advance practical solutions to information disorder and strengthen international cooperation on the right to access credible and timely information. The conference brings together international information commissioners, government representatives, civil society organisations, development partners, media practitioners, and other stakeholders.
The ICIC Chair also pointed to the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital platforms, noting that technological advances can make it increasingly difficult for citizens to distinguish authentic information from fabricated or manipulated content. He urged member institutions to establish stronger year-round technical cooperation rather than relying primarily on annual conferences.
The conference is expected to culminate in the adoption of the Freetown ICIC/IDUAI Joint Declaration on Access to Information as a Pillar of Information Integrity, with participating institutions expected to take the outcomes forward within their respective jurisdictions. This declaration aims to promote access to information as a fundamental right and a pillar of information integrity.
Key points
- The conference aims to strengthen international cooperation to address the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation.
- The ICIC Chair called for information regulators to move beyond isolated national responses and strengthen cooperation across jurisdictions.
- The conference is expected to culminate in the adoption of the Freetown ICIC/IDUAI Joint Declaration on Access to Information as a Pillar of Information Integrity.
