Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has called for enhanced international cooperation to improve access to reliable information and strengthen governance during the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) in Sierra Leone. The conference, which runs from 28th to 30th September at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, coincides with UNESCO’s International Day of Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
In his keynote speech, delivered on behalf of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, VP Jalloh emphasised the importance of the conference amidst rapid digital changes and increased citizen engagement in governance. He reflected on Sierra Leone’s journey towards democratic development, highlighting citizens’ right to access public information as a key indicator of this progress.
The VP pointed out the significance of the Right to Access Information Act of 2013, which established a formal framework for information access in Sierra Leone. He noted that legislation on data protection is part of broader efforts to regulate and safeguard information, asserting that such access empowers citizens to scrutinise government actions and participate in policy debates.
Jalloh mentioned the repeal of criminal libel provisions in the 1965 Public Order Act in 2020 as a pivotal step in enhancing Sierra Leone’s information landscape. He acknowledged that while advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence have improved access to information, they also present new challenges, including poor internet connectivity in rural areas and barriers to literacy that inhibit public information release.
The conference will discuss the intersection of information access and misinformation, with a focus on how reliable public data can combat disinformation and hate speech. It will also address issues such as access to information for women and young people, data protection, and transparency in ownership.
VP Jalloh encouraged participants to devise actionable strategies to improve information access and uphold information integrity, thereby reinforcing democratic institutions while considering the unique challenges faced by developing nations.
