2026 ICIC-IDUAI Conference in Sierra Leone
CONCEPT
THEME: UPHOLDING INFORMATION INTEGRITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder
Access to information (ATI) has been seen in the human rights and development discourses as arguably the most important of all human rights not least because it is not only regarded as an end in itself but as a means of achieving, or realising, many other ends, in this case all other human rights. In a similar vein, sustainable development goal (SDG) 16, specifically target 10.2 which relates to public access to information and the protection of fundamental freedoms is considered to be an enabler of all other SDGs.
However, it has also been argued that for ATI to enable the realisation of all human rights and all SDGs, the information accessed must be accurate, consistent, and reliable which is what information integrity is all about. Yet information integrity has been seriously threatened by an increasing pollution of the information ecosystem characterised by disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech.
Disinformation is information that is not only inaccurate, but is also intended to deceive and is spread in order to inflict harm. Disinformation can be spread by State or non-State actors, or individuals acting on their behalf, in multiple contexts, including elections, armed conflict, health emergencies, and can affect all areas of development, from peace and security to human rights, public health, humanitarian aid, and climate action. Misinformation is inaccurate information that may also have the potential to inflict harm but shared in good faith by someone, or a group of people, without knowing that the information is inaccurate and harmful. Hate speech, according to the working definition in the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, is “any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factor”.[1] All three—Dis and Mis-information, and Hate Speech—are somehow related but equally distinct phenomena, but have one particular thing in common-they pollute the information ecosystem and threaten human progress. Information integrity cannot therefore thrive in an environment of information pollution.
The situation has gotten worse in the digital age where powerful communication tools, including artificial intelligence, can now spread such polluted information content in real time across the globe thus creating a problem so widespread that online platforms sometimes struggle to grasp its full extent.
While the debate on information integrity and the increasing information disorder that is threatening it is gaining traction at the state and United Nations levels, very little has been done to critically engage the phenomenon from an access to information (ATI) lens and at a global multi-sectoral level. It is in view of addressing this gap that the Right to Access to Information Commission in Sierra Leone in collaboration with the African Network of Information Commissioners (ANIC) and UNESCO is proposing to host the 17th edition of the International Conference of Information Commissioners in Freetown, Sierra Leone on the 28th, 29th, and 30th September, 2026 on the theme: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The role of access to Information in addressing Information Disorder”
This conference will be co-hosted by UNESCO and jointly organised as part of the UNESCO 2026 global event commemorating September 28 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).The theme of the conference is premised on the argument that access to credible and accurate information, especially proactive information disclosure can be a recipe for information integrity and the prevention of information disorder. If public authorities refuse to proactively disclose information, or provide information on request, it is likely that the public would look elsewhere for such information which may make them vulnerable to accessing misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
Background
The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) of Sierra Leone is honoured to host the 2026 International Commissioners Conference for Information Commissioners and the International Day for Universal Access to Information global commemoration in partnership with UNESCO—an esteemed global forum for information regulators, transparency advocates, policymakers, and civil society leaders. The RAIC won the bid to host this conference at the 15th Edition of the ICIC held in Tirana, Albania on 3rd –5th June 2024.
This conference aims to build on an Outcome Statement on information integrity released by members of the African Network of Information Commissions (ANIC), including the Right to Access Information Commission in Sierra Leone, at their Annual General Meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 23rd -24th May, 2024. The ANIC Johannesburg Outcome Statement titled: ‘The Role of Access to Information Oversight Bodies in Advancing Information Integrity in Africa’, among other things, took into ‘account that information integrity, which is necessary for the free flow of accurate, reliable and credible information, is under threat globally due to the phenomena of misinformation and disinformation;’ ‘believing that a multi-sectoral approach in responding to the threats to information integrity will have better outcomes than individual organisations working in isolation;’ and ‘convinced of the critical role that access to information oversight authorities play as torchbearers for promoting fact-checking and information verification, champions for information integrity and information literacy change agents’, therefore hereby commit to, among other things, ‘ensuring that information holders proactively disclose credible, accurate and reliable information to prevent and curb misinformation and disinformation’; ‘initiating and implementing joint actions to develop understanding, capacity, and expertise to operate as access to information oversight bodies in a rapidly changing information society and information economy’; and finally ‘agree that information integrity must be adopted as a strategic focus area for the International Conference of Information Commissioners’ new strategy.’
The conference will aim to attract participants from diverse sectoral backgrounds dealing with information integrity, including information commissions, ombudsmen, partners, the media, academia, civil society, and NGOs. The first two days of the conference will feature open plenary and parallel sessions while the last day will feature closed sessions. With Sierra Leone as the host, it will be the second time the ICIC conference is holding in Africa, the first time was in Johannesburg, South Africa in March 2019. To the extent that Africa is the home of most countries that have experienced, or are experiencing, armed conflict, health emergencies, climate actions, elections in emerging democracies, and humanitarian disasters where people are more vulnerable to information pollution and its devastating consequences, the 2026 17TH ICIC-IDUAI conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone promises to be even more impactful on future interventions to sanitise the information ecosystem not only in Africa, but the rest of the world.
1. ADDRESSING KEY GLOBAL CHALLENGES
With the theme “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The role of access to Information in addressing Information Disorder”
This conference will address key global challenges such as:
- Disinformation and misinformation in the digital space..
- Legal and ethical frameworks for ensuring accurate information access
- Technological advancements and their impact on information governance
- Best practices for safeguarding information integrity globally
2. OVER ALL OBJECTIVE
This landmark gathering will facilitate high-level policy dialogue, peer learning, and global collaboration to strengthen access to information (ATI) regimes across jurisdictions.
3. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
- Promote Global Collaboration On Access to Information (ATI) and Information Integrity (II)
- Enhance Policy Frameworks On ATI and II
- Leverage Technology On ATI and II
- Amplify Public Awareness On ATI and II
- Deliver Actionable Outcomes On ATI and II
4. STAKEHOLDERS
RAIC will engage key stakeholders, including:
- Some relevant MDAs and SOEs in Sierra Leone;
- African and global ATI networks (e.g. ICIC, ANIC, AFIC, FOIAnet)
- Development partners (UNESCO and UN bodies, EU, World Bank, etc.)
- Civil society organizations and academic institutions
- Youth groups, media houses, and the private sector
5. EXPECTED OUTCOMES
- The Freetown Declaration on Information Integrity and access to information
- Strengthened collaboration among international information commissioners
- Enhanced global visibility of RAIC(SL)
- Greater capacity among participants
- A formal post-conference Monitoring & Evaluation Report
6. SIDE EVENTS AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
In parallel with the main conference, side events such as youth roundtables, transparency in the fishing sector, digital innovation labs, and community forums will promote inclusive dialogue and spotlight the role of younger generations in safeguarding information integrity. fi
7. GREEN AND INCLUSIVE CONFERENCE COMMITMENT
The conference will be designed as a green and inclusive event, integrating:
- Environmentally sustainable practices
- Accessibility for persons with disabilities
- Gender and geographical inclusivity
[1] Our Common Agenda Policy Brief 8 Information Integrity on Digital Platforms, June 2023 p.5
