The Media Foundation for West Africa(MFWA) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to reconsider and reverse its decision to limit media access to collation centres during the December 7 polls.
The foundation further urged the EC to allow broader media access to promote transparency and public trust in the electoral process.
Memo
The call follows a memo dated Monday November 25,2024, to EC regional directors and signed by the commission's Deputy Chairman, Operations, Mr Samuel Tettey. The Memo outlined that only eight media houses will be accredited at each Constituency Collation Centre and 12 media houses for each Regional Collation Centre.
Per the directives in the Memo, at the Constituency level, three TV stations and two media personnel per station will be allowed and five radio stations with one media personnel per station will be allowed.
At the Regional level, five TV stations made up of two media personnel per station will be allowed and seven radio stations comprising one media personnel per station will be accredited.
MFWA position
Speaking to AGTV News on Wednesday, November 27,2024, the Executive Director of MFWA, Mr Sulemana Braimah, stated that the position of the foundation is loud and clear since it begun responding to the issue which has generated discussions in the nation's media space.
Mr Braimah explained that despite the assurances given by the EC that it will create an enabling environment for a smooth collation exercise even if the numbers are restricted, the foundation disagrees with that assertion because such restrictions can hinder the media’s ability to effectively cover the election process and ensure accountability.
“Since when did media coverage become just radio and television? what about newspapers, what about online publications?
“So, I think this is a very misdirected action and well as they say better late than never. This is something that I think should be reversed,” he stated.
