Liberia has become the first West African nation to introduce a Freedom of Information Act. In a move welcomed by free expression groups across the country, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf signed the new legislation on the 4 October. The law comes after two years of intense lobbying by the Centre of Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP) and other members of the Liberia Freedom of Expression Coalition. According to presidential press secretary Cyrus Wleh Badio, the president is to be honoured with an award from the African Editors’ Forum.