Requesting Information: A Step-by-Step Guide

Who Can Make a Request?
Any Liberian citizen, journalist, NGO, student, academic, or business entity has the right to request information from the Liberian government or public authorities.

How to Identify the Right Authority
If you’re uncertain which authority to approach for your request, consider the following tips:

  • Use the search feature on IIC website to look for requests similar to yours.
  • Once you identify a relevant authority, check their homepage via the link on their IIC profile to understand their scope of work.
  • You can also directly contact the authority via phone or email to confirm if they handle the information you need.
  • Don’t stress too much about selecting the correct authority. If your request reaches the wrong department, they should guide you on where to redirect it.
  • If you encounter a complex issue, feel free to reach out to us for assistance.

Missing a Public Authority on IIC?
If a public authority isn’t listed on IIC, contact us with their name and, if possible, their Freedom of Information request email.

Tips for Successful Requests

  • Keep your request concise and specific so that the authority can easily identify what information you seek.
  • If you’re gathering information for a campaign, you may want to consult with organizations like IIC or MICAT for additional support.

Are There Any Fees?
While searching for and providing requested information is free, there may be charges for reproducing documents (e.g., photocopying, scanning).

Expected Response Time
Public authorities are legally required to respond within 30 days. IIC will notify you if there’s a delay, allowing you to follow up with the authority.

What If I Don’t Receive a Response?
If you don’t hear back:

  • Contact the authority by phone to confirm receipt of your request.
  • Consider asking for an internal review if the issue persists, or escalate your concern to the Information Commissioner’s office.

Unhappy with the Response?
If your request is not fully addressed, refer to our guidance on disputing responses. This includes instructions for requesting a review or filing a complaint.

Requesting Personal Information
IIC does not handle private information requests. For such inquiries, make a separate request under Data Protection laws.

Confidential Requests
Currently, IIC only manages public requests. For private inquiries, directly approach the relevant authority.

Submitting a Request to Multiple Authorities
Before sending a mass request, test it with a few authorities to refine your wording. There’s no automated system for bulk requests on IIC, so each must be sent individually.

Uploading Offline Requests
Only requests made via IIC are archived here. If you wish to upload a response from an offline request, connect through an IIC representative who can facilitate this.

Moderation of Comments and Annotations
IIC encourages helpful comments that aid others in accessing information. Any unrelated discussions, particularly political debates, will be removed.