By Nasratu Kargbo
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) has in their observation report on media coverage and reporting of the June 24th, 2023 multitier elections said that the majority of media houses were professional in their reportage, except for a few.
The report that was published on the 5th of July 2023 stated that “The Commission observed that a good number of media houses and practitioners covered and reported on the elections at all the faces of the electioneering process in line with the IMC’s Elections Coverage and Reporting Regulations 2022”.
The report highlighted various areas such as media coverage and reporting of political parties’ activities, political manifestoes, political advertising and election campaign, elections day, and allocation of airtime and space to political parties and candidates, amongst others.
Speaking on findings from media coverage and reporting on political parties’ activities before, during, and after the election, the report stated that the media landscape across the country recorded significant improvements in the coverage and reporting of political parties’ activities.
It added that media institutions created the platform for political parties and candidates to publish and broadcast their statements, press releases, and other forms of communication to their targeted audience. In addition, the report stated that most media houses made sure that their activities were conducted within the principles of elections coverage and reporting guidelines. “With the exception of Justice Radio’s broadcast, Owl Newspaper, Salone Compass Newspaper, and Nightwatch Newspaper publications that were mostly marred by provocative statements, personal attacks, inciting and insulting languages that have the tendency to provoke unrest”.
In the area of reporting on political parties’ manifestoes, the Commission stated that the media reported extensively and professionally. According to the report, the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC) was carefully monitored to know whether the incumbent has unfair access to media coverage than opposition parties.
“However, the Commission noted that to a large extent, political parties had unhindered access to the national broadcaster (SLBC) with their campaign messages. All parties including those who did not launch their campaign manifestoes were covered by media houses and discussions directed to the manifestoes instead of other unrelated matters” a part reads.
Regarding political advertising, the Commission in their report explained that both print and electronic media were to a large extent fair and equitable to political parties, noting that there were few newspapers that allied with key political parties.
Highlighting the strides made in the area of airtime and space allocation to political parties and candidates, the report stated that media houses and journalists took necessary steps to provide adequate airtime to political parties and candidates across the political divide in all districts across the country. It noted that community radios ensured that airtime was properly allocated to the two main political parties.
The Commission activated media monitoring mechanisms in May 2023, and established a media situation room in June 2023; to observe the activities of media practitioners and media houses in their coverage and reporting of political activities, election campaigns, polling day, and post-elections activities in Sierra Leone.
“This was achieved through the deployment of thirty-three (33) media monitors at districts level across the country, with five (5) Rapid Response Teams at Regional Level” the report reads in part.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (07/07/23)
