[ 2016-11-23 ]

EC Media accreditation fee senseless, shameful – Sefa Kayi
Ace broadcaster Kwami Sefa Kayi has described as
shameful and senseless the decision by the
Electoral Commission to charge the media
accreditation fee for the coverage of the December
7, polls.

According to the Peace FM Morning show host, the
move may obstruct efforts by journalists to report
professionally and objectively during the polls.

Ghana’s Electoral Commission is charging
journalists in the country in order to provide
them with accreditation to cover presidential and
parliamentary polls. The move has been heavily
criticised, but the election management body is
adamant.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting organised by
the Media Foundation for West Africa, ‘Chairman
General’ as Sefa Kayi is popularly known, said
it is wrong for the media to be charged for
covering elections about their own country.

“My problem with you electoral commissioner is
that I think it is shameful that you charge the
media to cover the elections. We are not a very
sincere people, we like to cover things up.

"It is just like the state protocol asking
journalists to pay to cover the Independence
parade. I don’t think it is a very good thing
you have done, I don’t think it a smart thing to
do. If we are not careful, we would end up
reporting disaster.

“What is accreditation; a piece of paper with
our names and lamination, to cover elections that
has to do with our country? I am not happy and it
is my opinion,” he said.

He added: “...But truth be told; let all of us
speak the truth to power, let’s tell them that
we will cover you but you must play your part.
Like the electoral commission, we shouldn’t be
paying to cover elections, it doesn’t make
sense. Let’s tell all of them, the NCCE, the
Police and all, let’s tell the truth to power.
Let’s tell them the truth”.

Source - Starrfm

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