Codes of conduct for
media in elections provide journalists and media houses with key principles and
guidelines for the coverage of the electoral process. In some cases, they
include provisions on gender equality, requiring journalists and media
professionals to abandon gender stereotypes and to promote gender-sensitive
reporting, accounting for the needs and interests of both men and women.
Example: International IDEA’s proposed code of conduct on media and
elections recognizes the role of media as a platform for voter education,
establishing that “voter education shall include programmes in minority
languages and programmes targeted for groups that traditionally may have been
excluded from the political process, such as women and people with
disabilities.” A similar provision was also integrated in the National
Electoral Board of Ethiopia’s Code of Conduct for the Reporting of Elections[1]
(2010), requiring every media to provide inclusive voter education.
Example: In different countries, a number of codes of conduct for
media in elections forbid violence incitement or hate speech based on
ethnicity, gender, political ideas or religious beliefs, among other
conditions. This is the case of Lesotho and Zambia’s codes of conduct, adopted
by their respective EMBs, the Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho[2]
and the Electoral Commission of Zambia[3].
In Tanzania, the Media Code of Conduct for Election Reporting[4],
adopted in 2010 by a group of editors gathering in a workshop, established that
“When reporting the opinions of those who do advocate discrimination or
violence on any grounds, including race, gender, language, religion, political
or other opinions, and national or social origins, journalists should do the
utmost to put such views in a clear context and to report the opinions of those
against whom such sentiments are directed.”
Example: In Haiti, the Code of Ethics for Media and Journalists
establishes that “The media and journalists must show a particular sensitivity
regarding the problem of gender stereotypes. Medias and journalists make sure
they reflect the intellectual and emotional equality of men and women. They
must encourage women’s participation in the media, including management
positions”. Although this code of conduct is not only restricted to electoral
coverage, it can also be used by journalists and media professionals when
reporting on elections. [5]
For
more information on this issue, please see the section on “Codes of
Conduct for Media in Elections” in the topic area on Media and
Elections.
[1] National Electoral Board
of Ethiopia (2010): “The Code of Conduct for Mass Media and Journalists on the
Manner of Reporting About Elections Regulation Number 6/2010.”
See:
www.refworld.org/pdfid/51028ac92.pdf
[2] Independent Electoral
Commission of Lesotho: “Code of Conduct for Media Personnel and Media Houses
During Elections.”
See:
http://www.iec.org.ls/
