President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has stated that restricting access to the media will hurt, rather than help in the quest for credible media reportage of the elections and its outcome.
He has therefore called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to provide and improve mechanisms to facilitate the work of the media at all the levels of voting and collation of ballots.
Mr Dwumfour’s comments come following the EC’s directive restricting numerous media houses access to collation centres during the election.
He spoke on behalf of the Media Coalition, at a press conference on election 2024 and recent developments in the media landscape, held at the Ghana International Press Centre, on Thursday, November 28,2024.
According to the GJA President, the Association over the past few days have been inundated with calls from stakeholders over the decision by the EC to restrict access to the media for the coverage of the elections, particularly at the various levels of the collation centres – constituency, regional and national.
He said when this information came to the GJA’s attention, it quickly reached out to the EC to protest against the decision.
Read Also: Obuasi Gringo Di Asa Season 8 grand finale comes off Nov. 30th at UPSA
Narrating a series of events, Mr Dwumfour said the EC subsequently issued a press statement, indicating that it would engage the GJA and GIBA to further discuss the matter.
He noted that the Presidents of the GJA and GIBA had an engagement with the Chairperson of the EC on Wednesday to discuss the matter.
“In that engagement, we clearly stated our position – the EC must give unfettered access to the media to all the levels of voting and collation of ballots. The parties agreed that GJA and GIBA should present a proposal to the EC on the way forward, which we are working on now,” Mr Dwumfour stated.
He was of the belief that restricting access to the media will not be in the best interest of transparency, accountability and access to information which is always a major partnership essential for these elections.
The GJA President again said it will also weaken the strong steps being taken to trample upon misinformation and disinformation, which phenomena are a major concern in this year’s elections.
He admitted that restricted media houses may rely on sources of information that may not be wholesome, adding that that could compromise the integrity of the elections.
“In essence, restricting access to the media will hurt, rather than help, the quest for credible media reportage of the elections and the eventual outcome of the same. What we expect the EC to do is to provide and improve mechanisms to facilitate the work of the media at all the levels of voting and collation of ballots,” He added.
Mr Dwumfour said in its latest press statement, the EC indicated that it is a listening body; expressing hope that the EC will hear the media coalition.
“We hasten to add that we have had very cordial relations with the EC. Just this past Tuesday and Wednesday, the GJA, with the kind support of the EC, organised two zonal training workshops for 80 journalists across the country with the view to equipping them with the requisite skills to ensure credible election reporting. The skills they have acquired to work for the good of Mother Ghana should not be restricted,” he added.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has stated that restricting access to the media will hurt, rather than help){kind=link}