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Momodou
Denmark
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 Posted - 11 Sep 2006 : 22:28:18
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JOURNALISTS DRAW GUIDELINES FOR ELECTION REPORTING
By Bubacarr K. Sowe & Amie Sanneh
Twenty-five journalists form the Public and Private Media, on Tuesday adopted a code of conduct aimed at guiding journalists on how to report ethically and professionally, in the forthcoming presidential, parliamentarian and local government elections. The two day brainstorming session was organized by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), at that Gambia Pastoral Institute along the Kairaba Avenue
Dr. Henry D.R. Carrol, Acting Solicitor General, told participants that they have a pivotal role to play in election reporting and that as responsible journalists; they must always report objectively and accurately, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
“It is an obvious fact, that free, vibrant and responsible journalism, is indeed a corner stone of or an integral part of any functional democracy. In the same vein, irresponsible journalism or “gutter, journalism” “is overtly illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional,” Dr. Carrol said.
Mr. Madi Ceesay, President of the Gambian Press Union, advice colleagues that there should be a clear separation between facts and comments. “News reporting should reflect the facts as honestly perceived by journalists,” he said.
Mr.Malleh Sallah of the I.E.C remarked that journalists should make sure that information given out to the public is correct. He also said that no election result should be published or broadcast before the IEC announcement.
Below is the full text of the code of conduct.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ELECTION REPORTING
1. Journalists and Media Practitioners report accurately without bias.
2. Journalists and Media Practitioners should not suppress essential information that does not pose a threat to national security.
3. Journalists and Media Practitioners should avoid using language or expressing sentiments that may further discrimination or violence on any grounds, including race, six, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinions, and national or social origins.
4. Journalists and Media Practitioners must Endeavour to uphold the ethics of the profession and must never reveal to any politician, the content of any news item before it is published.
5. Journalists and Media Practitioners should regard the following as grave professional offences.
*Plagiarism.
*Malicious misrepresentation.
*Calumny, slander, libel or unfounded accusations.
*Acceptance of a bribe in any form in consideration of either publication or Suppression.
6. Journalists and Media Practitioners must educate the public on the policies and programmes of the various political parities in a manner easily understood.
7. Journalists and Media Practitioners should promote democratic values such as the rule of law, accountability and good governance.
8. Political Parities should e given equal air time, space and treatment in our print and electronic media houses during elections.
9. Journalists and Media Practitioners must always endeavor to uphold their social responsibilities and should protect national interest against individual interest.
10. The media should continuously educate and sensitise the public on the Memorandum of understanding (MOU) sign by different political parities the EOWAS and the Independent Electronic Commission (IEC).
11. The media should serve as watchdogs to ensure that stakeholders respect and uphold the Memorandum of understanding (MOU).
12. Journalists and Media Practitioners should endeavor to access relevant materials in order to provide the public with adequate information on their Civic Right and duties.
13. Journalists must ensure that anything that violates the constitution is not published or broadcast.
14. During campaign or election period, journalists must not wear any campaign material of any political parity.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 76/2006, 11-12 September, 2006
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