As well as providing CVE, media
provide another important role in elections, that of monitoring reporting of
electoral processes.
SDG 16, target 10 – “Ensure public
access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with
national legislation and international agreements” – is a critical enabling
condition for the implementation of all
17 SDGs.[i] To contribute to the achievement of this target,
EMBs and the media have a tremendous responsibility to ensure that
all citizens stay informed about all stages of the electoral process (e.g.,
campaigns, voting, and tabulation) in a transparent and unbiased manner. Violence
can easily be sparked by lack of information, false or incomplete information,
and unsubstantiated rumors.
In several countries, biased media or
incomplete factual coverage during electoral processes have contributed to
creating an atmosphere of fear by disseminating rumors, giving credence to hate
speech, and calling for violent protest.
See Media and Elections (ACE Topic
Area hyperlink)
[i] "UNDP/PRIO Expert
Meeting on Measuring SDG 16: Targets
16.1 on Peace, 16.3 on Justice, 16.7 on Inclusion and 16.10 on Freedoms," (report of the meeting held 28–29 January, 2016,
Oslo, Norway), UNDP and Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), www.undp.
org/content/dam/norway/img/sdg-16-oslo-2016/OGC%20PRIO%20Measurement%20meeting%20-%20Report%20of%20the%20Convenors%20final2.pdf.
