Elections are
high-stake processes for political parties which compete for popular support
and political power. During all phases of an electoral process, the media has
an essential role to play in facilitating information sharing, profiling both
women and men as candidates, and in discussions of electoral issues.
If politicians
and journalists lack basic understanding of the technical aspects of electoral
processes—including related procedures, decision-making and EDR
mechanisms—their actions may raise tensions and lead to potential outbreaks of
violence. The media have a responsibility to report rather than make news, and
when this basic principle is ignored it can also further exacerbate tensions
and even lead to violence.
Empirical cases:
• Guyana
parliamentary election 2001.
Throughout the election period the media failed to investigate rumours spread
by political party supporters on TV and radio talk shows. In one such broadcast
it was suggested that people should invade the homes of party officials.
Following election day many Guyanese suggested that such talk shows had provided
a platform for hate speech as well as a raison
d’être for mobs to form. It was also suggested that the talk shows had raised
fear and tension during the election period itself.[1] Additionally, a talk-show
host leading a crowd near the Election Commissioner’s house was arrested twice
before election day.[2]
Interrelated factors: unequal media access and
favouritism (internal); social and political
exclusion (external);[3] problematic voter
registration (internal).[4]
