The Media Coalition, an umbrella group comprising the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), and the New Media Association of Ghana (NMAG), has asked the Electoral Commission (EC) to grant the media unrestricted access to the National Collation Centre.
The Coalition made the call after raising concerns over the electoral body’s decision to restrict media access to the National Collation Centre during the upcoming elections.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Media Coalition, which described the decision as a threat to the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
The leadership of the coalition, represented by Albert Dwumfour (GJA President), Cecil Sunkwa-Mills (GIBA President), Edwin Arthur (PRINPAG President), and Eugene Osafo Nkansah (NMAG President), signed the statement, reinforcing their united stance.
The Coalition stated that it opined that the decision to grant selected media access to the Coalition Centre lacks fairness, transparency, and a consultative framework.
“Restricting access to the media will gravely affect the integrity of the elections due to the absence of a fair and transparent methodology of selecting media for this event,” the coalition stated.
The coalition further expressed disappointment over the lack of consultation with its members before the EC reached this decision. It noted that this approach violates the longstanding collaborative relationship between the media and the Electoral Commission, describing it as a “betrayal of good faith.”
“Inasmuch as we have admonished our members to be professional in the discharge of their duties…we fear the decision taken by the EC may dissipate our efforts and gains,” the Coalition added.
By: rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
