February 10, 2025

MFWA Calls on EC to Remove Media Access Restrictions at Collation Centres

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MFWA AND EC

   The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to review its recent decision to restrict media access to collation centres during the 2024 elections. According to the MFWA, the restrictions could compromise the transparency and accountability that the media plays in the electoral process, undermining the public’s trust in the outcome of the elections.

The EC issued a directive to its regional directors, outlining its decision to limit the number of media outlets accredited to cover collation activities. Under this directive, only eight media organizations will be allowed to report from the constituency collation centres. The allocation will include three television stations, each permitted to send two representatives, and five radio stations, each with one representative. For regional collation centres, access will be granted to 12 media outlets, including five television stations with two personnel per station, and seven radio stations with one representative each.

Dr. Bossman Asare, the Deputy Chairperson of the EC, defended the decision, explaining that it was intended to ensure a smooth and efficient collation process. He said that, in the Commission’s view, limiting the number of media outlets to eight at the constituency level and 12 at the regional level was a reasonable measure to maintain order and facilitate the work of the EC.

However, the MFWA has expressed concerns that the restrictions could hinder comprehensive media coverage of the collation process and create an atmosphere of suspicion. In a statement, Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director of MFWA, criticized the decision, saying that the exclusion of other media formats, such as print and online platforms, from the accreditation process was unjustified. He voiced his surprise at the EC’s directive, questioning why only television and radio outlets were being allowed access to the collation centres. “Since when did media coverage become just radio and television? This action is misguided and should be reversed,” he said, calling for a broader and more inclusive media presence at the collation centres.

The MFWA’s concern is rooted in the belief that the media plays a critical role in ensuring transparency in elections. They argue that limiting access to only a small number of media outlets could lead to gaps in coverage and leave the public without access to full, real-time information about the collation process. The foundation also warned that such restrictions could fuel distrust and undermine the credibility of the election results.

The MFWA further emphasized that the media’s role in overseeing elections is vital for maintaining democratic integrity. Independent media reporting helps ensure that election processes are carried out fairly and that all parties involved in the election are held accountable. Limiting media access could create an environment where questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process arise, which could erode public confidence in the outcome of the elections.

In the MFWA’s view, the EC should reconsider the restriction and take steps to allow greater media participation in the election coverage. The foundation stressed that a variety of media outlets, including print and digital platforms, should be granted access to collation centres in order to provide a comprehensive, impartial, and accurate picture of the election process.

The MFWA also suggested that by limiting access to just a handful of media organizations, the EC could unintentionally create a situation where some regions or constituencies receive less coverage than others, leading to unequal reporting across the country. This, they argued, could lead to concerns about biased or incomplete reporting, which might undermine the transparency of the entire election process.

As the country prepares for the 2024 elections, the MFWA’s call for a more inclusive media presence underscores the importance of an open and transparent electoral process. The foundation believes that expanding media access will help ensure that the public has access to accurate, real-time information, which is crucial for maintaining trust in the election process and its outcome.

The MFWA has called on the EC to reconsider its decision and adopt a more inclusive approach to media access during the election. In doing so, the EC would be fostering greater public trust and ensuring that the 2024 elections are conducted in a transparent and accountable manner.

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