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Alert

Media working group presents draft media reform and access to information laws to legislature

(CEMESP/IFEX) - On 17 April 2008, the Liberia Media Law and Policy Reform Working Group, with support from the Partnership for Media and Conflict Prevention in Liberia, will submit three draft laws to the National Legislature of Liberia for consideration.

Media professionals, civil society actors and interested individuals will assemble at the headquarters of the Press Union of Liberia beginning at 9:00 a.m. (local time) to march to the Capitol Building to petition the legislators and to present the proposed laws.

The draft laws to be submitted are: the Freedom of Information Act, an act to establish the Independent Broadcasting Regulator, and an act to transform the state broadcaster (Liberia Broadcasting System) into a public service broadcaster.

The Liberia Media Law and Policy Reform Working Group says it feels fulfilled now that these laws have finally been drafted, with the help of its partners, after three years, but said it is counting on the combined efforts of the public and government for the passage of the bills to ensure greater openness and accountability in the Liberian society.

The Working Group says that, although the Liberian media will be credited for initiating the reform of the media landscape in the country, the laws will benefit the state and the entire population.

Meanwhile, the Press Union of Liberia is calling on the public to join the media as they petition the National Legislature to pass the draft laws.