Togo: Suspension of accreditation for foreign media, the HAAC in its regalian mission
During this sensitive period of elections in Togo, where the people are called to vote for their national representatives and regional councilors, all stakeholders involved in the process must fulfill their roles to prevent pre- and post-electoral crises. Effective communication management is crucial during electoral periods to prevent potential issues.
In line with this, the High Authority of Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC), the media regulatory body, has decided to suspend the issuance of accreditations to foreign media correspondents covering the upcoming legislative and regional elections on April 29th.
This decision follows an incident involving journalist Thomas Pierre Dietrich, a special envoy from Africa XXI Channel.
Initially, Dietrich entered Togo illegally, and subsequently, his behavior was deemed activist-oriented.
Additionally, the HAAC noted «serious breaches» in the coverage of Togolese news by RFI and France 24 in recent times.
The suspension of accreditations by the HAAC is justified, especially considering that these actions could potentially disrupt public order in the country.
However, the HAAC encourages foreign media correspondents already present in the Togolese capital to continue covering the electoral process.
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Kodjovi Makafui
