|
Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Feb 2007 : 13:09:25
|
MEDIA COVERAGE OF N/A ELECTIONS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
By Amie Sanneh
The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has called on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to encourage the private media to take a more proactive role in covering elections, especially during campaign periods. GPU also urged IEC to remind GRTS of its duty to be fair and equal to all parties as stated in the Elections Decree.
The call is contained in a 34 page report on the media monitoring exercise of the 25th January 2007 National Assembly Elections which was presented last Friday at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) Conference Hall.
The report of the findings indicates that GRTS engaged in bias reporting and coverage during the campaign period, as well as during newscast in favour of the ruling APRC candidates. "The APRC had a whopping 10,980 seconds airtime during newscast thus giving them an overwhelming time advantage as opposed to the UDP 600 seconds and NADD 60 seconds. No mention was made of the NRP candidates or party during the news," it states. The report further indicated that the calls to "vote for APRC" were repeatedly aired on GRTS during newscast. This, the report stated, could be interpreted as undue advantage to the APRC Party.
However, the report's findings indicated that there was no negative presentation of any party on the state medium. The report nevertheless pointed out that GRTS Television gave APRC an edge over the opposition in terms of air time space as APRC stories had footages whereas all news items relating to the other parties/ independent candidates were mainly press releases and none had a positive story. It was either an arrest or remand in the case of the UDP and the withdrawal of candidature for independent candidates.
According to the report, newspapers play a greater role than electronic media as they serve as a better outlet in terms of coverage of political parties. Notwithstanding, the report pointed out that only Foroyaa and The Point covered report on all political parties. The Daily Observer clearly showed its slant towards the APRC, (a) by publishing a greater number of positive stories and (b) by featuring all other parities negatively. The report however indicated that although Foroyaa interviewed candidates from all parties, the report said that the number of interviews are not reflective of the number of candidates per party. There is a favourable slant towards NADD candidates the report added. The Point, the report mentioned, is the only paper which sought both sides of the story in articles regarding the UDP. On the side of Daily Express, the report singled it out as the only paper which carried a reflective post election based on statements that were made prior to the elections. "It should also be noted that articles on the opposition or Independent candidates were not carried during this period. Coverage was only limited to the APRC," it stated. It also blamed the Media houses for not engaging in voter's voice reporting and the under representation of youth activities in relation to the elections. "Violence was contained in the few assault cases and arrests, detention of candidates and their supporters. Very little investigative journalism was reflected in the findings," states the report. The findings of the report, among many, recommends to the IEC to set up a group of eminent persons as proposed in the IEC's media rules. This, the report believes, could allay fears of prosecution and intimidation of the private media and still enable media practitioners to abide by the Elections Decree.
The report also recommends for the IEC to encourage respect for the Media Code of conduct drawn up in September 2006 by Media practitioners and the IEC. It recommends for the encouragement on the use of the right of reply especially during the blackout period, based on a broad consultation with all stakeholders in order to avoid political exploitation from all political parties while ensuring the right of reply in a timely fashion. The report further recommends the IEC to work with the GPU, media houses and other institutions to broaden the scope of Media Rules and together come up with a penalty system where Media houses fail to comply with these rules.
The private media, the report added, should take a more proactive role in the coverage of elections and local governance by making maximum use of training supported by the IEC, GPU and other partners.
Finally, the report recommends for the training of journalists in elections reporting to be encouraged or supported.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 017/2007, 12-13 February, 2007
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
Topic Locked
