IIC - Empowering Citizens, Promoting Transparency
Your right to information begins here. Request, receive, and access public data easily
File a Complaint
Make a Freedom of Information Request
Ask questions, get answers. Connect directly with public authorities to access information.
File a Complaint
Open Access for a Brighter Future
Transparency is the key to accountability. Discover how easy it is to request public data.
File a Complaint
Open Access for a Brighter Future
Transparency is the key to accountability. Discover how easy it is to request public data.
File a Complaint
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Begin Your FOI Complaint Journey

You have the right to request information from any publicly-funded body, and get answers.
IIC helps you make a follow-up with ministries and agencies and ensure they provide you with the information requested. 

FOI Process

You can request, receive, review, reproduce and retain records held by public bodies

File A Complaint

Describe the information you need and send your request to the IIC.

IIC Ruling

The complaints hearing comittee process and provide findings report

File a Complaint to IIC
Request Info from the IIC

FAQs

The right of access to information, or freedom of information (FOI), is a fundamental human right now enjoyed by over 4 billion people in 95 countries around the world. Liberia’s Freedom of Information Act, signed into law in 2010, provides all persons the right of access to public information. Under Liberia’s FOI law, everyone has the right to request and receive information from all public agencies of the Government of Liberia and any private entity
that performs duties normally carried out by the government, provides public services, or receives public funds or benefits.

Per Section 5.1 of the 2010 Freedom of Information Act, the Independent Information Commissioner is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Commissioner’s office and staff make up the Independent Information Commission of the Republic of Liberia. The Commission is legally mandated to oversee implementation of and compliance with the FOI law. Specific functions and powers include:

  • Receiving, hearing, deciding FOI complaints and mediating disputes
  • Ordering release of non-exempt information
  • Investigating, monitoring, and promoting compliance with the FOI Act, including collecting statistics
  • Training and building capacity to ensure understanding/application of FOI
  • Developing FOI guidelines and procedures
  • Educating the public about their FOI rights
  • Reviewing existing laws/regulations related to FOI, and making suggestions for reform
  • Collecting annual agency FOI reports and submitting an aggregated

You can ask for information by mail, phone, or in person and given to the
agency you think holds the information you want.

Asking for information is free. Viewing information is free. You can only be charged for the actual costs of reproducing the documents you want.

If after filing a FOI request you receive:

  • no response within 30 days
  • a denial of information
  • a partial document
  • a transfer notice with which you disagree
  • a fee/charge you think is too high
  • or any other negative decision

    you have the right to ask for an internal review from the agency where you filed your request. A senior official or internal review body is required to review your appeal and provide you with a decision in writing within thirty (30) working days (about 6 weeks).

The Independent Information Commission (IIC) is responsible for sharing quarterly reports on government agencies’ compliance with the FOI mandate.

Your request can only be denied if the information falls within an exemption and the harm of disclosure is greater than the public
interest.