Access to information: Media Rights Agenda, IPC insist on transparency

By Oluwole Adeboye

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the International Press Centre (IPC) have insisted on the importance of transparency and access to credible information.

This was disclosed in Lagos during the commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2026, tagged “Freedom of Information in the Age of Disinformation: Why Transparency Matters More Than Ever”.

The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Mr Lanre Arogundade, said public institutions have a responsibility to make credible information available clearly and to respond appropriately to legitimate requests.

Speaking on the role of lawyers in the implementation of the FOI Act, Mr Alimi Adamu, Principal Partner at Adamu and Adamu & Co. (Legal Practitioners), stated that the role of lawyers in implementing the Act was to advise the public on the right of access, how to prepare information requests, to apply to court for judicial review upon wrongful denial of access to information, and to enforce judgments against public institutions.

He further said, “Lawyers help to design internal frameworks for record keeping. They assist in compiling the mandatory annual FOI compliance report for submission to the Attorney-General of the Federation.”

The Executive Director of Illuminate Nigeria Development Network, Ms Anikeade Funke-Treasure, delivered a paper on the role of the media in the effective implementation of the FOI Act. She said, “Accuracy is cheaper than litigation. Bad reporting, retractions and defamation suits are what bankrupt newsrooms. We must overhaul media training curricula; trainees should be taught how to draft FOI requests for routine beats.”

Media professionals, lawyers, civil liberties organisations and other stakeholders observed that despite the existence of the FOI Act for over 15 years, compliance by public institutions across all levels of government remains poor. The recommendation at the forum was that the government at all levels should demonstrate stronger commitment to the effective implementation of the FOI Act.

L -R Mr Alimi Adams, principal partner Adamu and Adamu & co.( Legal Practitioner), Ms Anikeade funke Treasure, Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director,International Press Centre (IPC)