Internews Liberia has trained over 30 journalists assigned to the Liberian Legislature on personal data protection, cybercrime, and freedom of information— critical issues expected to shape the future of media and digital rights in the country. The training was held in collaboration with the Legislative Press Pool (LEGISPOOL), the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, and the Independent Information Commission (IIC), with support from the Liberia Media Empowerment Project (LMEP) and funding from the European Union (EU).
It focused on the draft Personal Data Privacy and Protection Act, the Draft Cybercrime Act, and Liberia’s Freedom of Information Law. Journalists also discussed a proposed Media Self-Regulation Code for handling personal data within newsrooms.
Subject matter experts provided in-depth presentations on the legal frameworks, offering reporters insight into the potential implications of these draft legislations for press freedom, privacy rights, and responsible journalism. In his remarks, LEGISPOOL President Gerald C. Koinyeneh, Jr., commended Internews, the EU, and other partners for supporting the initiative, describing the training as “timely, eye-opening, and a vital opportunity for reporters to enhance their professionalism.”
“This is not just about legislation; it’s about how we report responsibly, particularly on matters involving the personal data of public figures and ordinary citizens,” Koinyeneh said. He encouraged Internews and other stakeholders to provide additional capacity-building opportunities for legislative reporters. Providing an overview, Samukai V. Konneh, Project Director of the Liberia Media Empowerment Project at Internews Liberia, underscored the significance of personal data, noting that individuals — not even governments — hold ultimate rights over their data and that the bill relates directly to the work that journalists do.
He explained that once passed into law, the two draft legislations will clearly define how personal data is protected, how cybercrimes are addressed, and how journalists can responsibly access information through the Freedom of Information Law.
Konneh also announced that as part of the partnership between Internews and LEGISPOOL, small grants will be made available to support investigative reporting, encouraging reporters to submit story ideas for potential funding.
Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, S. Mohammed Massaley, dismissed concerns that the draft laws are intended to stifle opposition voices or target the media. He said President Joseph N. Boakai remains committed to protecting free speech, press freedom, and the personal data rights of all Liberians.
