A group of journalists are suing the Electoral Commission of Ghana over its decision to charge for the cost of accreditation tags for journalists wishing to cover the December 7 general elections.
The Commission in a statement dated October 31 gave media managers up to November 7 to forward details of their journalists who will be observing the elections, for accreditation tag at a fee of GHC10.
But that has since generated hue and cry among journalists, some of who have kicked against the decision, but the EC maintains it cannot fund the cost of the tags.
Some journalists who form the International Standards Journalists Association (ISJA) say they wrote to the EC since November 4 seeking a reversal of the decision but the EC has either refused or failed to respond to their letter.
They have consequently prepareda writ likely to be filed at the Accra High Court to challenge the decision, which they say is in breach of their fundamental human rights as well as Article 54 of the constitution.
In their writ, a copy of which is available to 3News, they among other arguments contend that the cost of the accreditation tags per Article 54 of the constitution must be at the expense of the EC and not the journalists.
They are seeking an order to compel the EC to issue accreditation tags to qualified Ghanaian journalists forthwith without demanding financial payment from them.
They also want a declaration from the court that the demand for payment for the cost of the tags is unconstitutional.
Sign up for GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.
