In the heart of a democratic society, transparency isn’t just a luxury—it’s a fundamental right. So, when the Electoral Commission announces plans to restrict media coverage during the 2024 general elections, one can’t help but ask: What are they trying to hide during the elections?
The recent guidelines limiting media presence to merely eight media houses per constituency and twelve at regional collation centres raise more red flags than a parade of caution. How can we speak of free and fair elections when the very eyes and ears of the public are being systematically muted?
The EC’s attempt to “streamline” the election process feels less like an administrative improvement and more like a calculated move to control the narrative.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. The EC has already been wrestling with credibility challenges, with political parties—most notably the NDC—expressing deep-seated skepticism about the transparency of the electoral process. By further restricting media access, aren’t they effectively pouring fuel on the flames of doubt? The timing couldn’t be more suspicious, and the implications are deeply troubling.
Who gets to decide which five TV stations and seven radio stations will be granted this exclusive access? The selection criteria remain shrouded in mystery, leaving room for dangerous speculation. Is this a strategic maneuver to curate a media landscape that conveniently aligns with the EC’s preferred storyline? The potential for bias is not just a concern—it’s a glaring red warning ahead of the elections.
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Also, the EC’s guidelines only make mention of RADIO and TELEVISION. Digital media, and Newspapers, Zero! Does this suggest that renowned Newspapers like the Daily Graphic, Daily Guide, Ghanaian Times and the others are not covering the December 7 elections? Talk about online portals like Modernghana, Ghana web, Pulse Ghana, and all other credible online media portals, are they also not permitted to cover the elections? Let’s not talk about interested freelance Journalists and other citizen journalists who might want to report on the elections.
The constitutional implications are equally alarming. Article 162 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution is crystal clear about media freedoms. It guarantees the independence of the media and explicitly prohibits censorship. These new guidelines don’t just skirt the edges of constitutional propriety—they bulldoze right through them. What happened to the sacred principles of free press, free information and public access?
Consider the practical implications for citizens. What happens to the viewer who has trusted a specific media house for years based on their track record of covering elections? If their preferred media outlet isn’t among the chosen twelve, are they simply expected to accept a narrative filtered through unfamiliar lenses? This isn’t just about media access; it’s about respecting the public’s right to information from sources they trust.
The security argument presented by Dr. Bossman Asare in the interview with Umaru Sanda on Citi FM’s eyewitness news on November 26, 2024 is particularly laughable. Since when did journalists become a threat to public safety? Journalists are professionals trained to document, not disrupt. The presence of media personnel has historically been a mechanism of accountability, not a source of chaos. By limiting their presence, the EC isn’t enhancing security—they’re undermining democratic transparency.
These restrictions aren’t just an inconvenience; they’re a direct assault on the principles of open, fair electoral processes. They send a chilling message about the state’s attitude towards media freedom and public scrutiny. In an age where information is power, controlling information is controlling democracy itself.
To the Electoral Commission, I say this: Retract these restrictive guidelines. Open the space for media coverage and embrace transparency. Trust in the intelligence of Ghana’s citizens and the professionalism of the media. Our democracy is not a fragile thing to be managed, but a robust system that thrives on openness, scrutiny, and unrestricted information flow.
To my colleague journalists and media associations: This is our moment of reckoning. We cannot sit silently while our constitutional rights are being systematically eroded. I call on the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and every independent media house to raise a unified voice against these restrictive guidelines. We must challenge these regulations through legal channels, public discourse, and united advocacy. Our silence is complicity, and our professional integrity demands that we stand up, speak out, and defend the fundamental principles of press freedom and democratic transparency. The battle for fair election coverage is not just about our professional rights—it’s about protecting the very essence of Ghana’s democratic process.
Written by Samuel Nii Adjetey
Journalist and a Fact-checker