EMB media strategies

Original Question:

This question is posted by ACE on behalf of Erik Asplund.

I am looking for EMB communication plans/media strategies that members of the network would be willing to share and make available in the updated BRIDGE elections and media module. 

Summary of Responses: 

Practitioners shared strategies from Malawi, Zanzibar, and the United Kingdom. The Malawi Electoral Commission’s Communication Strategy and Implementation Plan, 2015-2019 is here; the Zanzibar Electoral Commission’s Communication Strategy is here. Both documents include general and country-specific communications goals and implementation plans. Two documents from the United Kingdom Electoral Commission discussing how to communicate accessibly to the public are here and here. 

One practitioner recommended dividing the BRIDGE elections and media module into two parts. One would focus on EMB staff and their relations with the media; the other would focus on the media and election coverage. The BRIDGE project has its curriculum files posted on its website, available to members. Files in the “Media and Elections” module can be found here.

Though I am at present a Communication and media studies educator, I have had more than fifteen years of active practice across the major mass media in Nigeria.Therefore, I can say that the only communication activities by my country's EMB are only noticable when the EMB is training personnel for general elections, including setting up of situation rooms for collation and announcement of election results. It appears that communication is considered an adhoc subject matter by my country's EMB. Regrettably, it is paying dearly for this in the areas of poor media publicity and negative public perception.

To start with, this module needs to be split into two so that it has defined audience: First module will focus on how EMB staff can deal/work with the media. This is where now you will tackle the issues of how to write a press release etc. Second part should focus on how the media can report elections. Other wise this module is confusing.

To start with, this module needs to be split into two so that it has defined audience: First module will focus on how EMB staff can deal/work with the media. This is where now you will tackle the issues of how to write a press release etc. Second part should focus on how the media can report elections. Other wise this module is confusing.

Hi, thank you for your question. I am attaching two relevant documents from the UK Electoral Commission. The first consists of a series of good practices for Electoral Returning Officers. It includes certain key considerations for designing and drafting communications such as a) establishing an objective for those communications, b) understanding the target audience  c) considering different communications methods and d) considering the timing of the activity, amongst others.

The second is a more specific factsheet outlining key points for producing accessible communications (formatting, writing style, language, clarity, etc).

These documents do not describe a general communications plan for the EMB but should be helpful.

Thank you and best regards,

 

Miguel

Dear

 

Kindly receive the Communication strategy which was developed by Zanzibar Electoral Commission, which has also touches on Media Strategy.

 

Sa

بدايةً انني أتشرف من خلال جمعية أمان لتنمية المجتمع المدني في الاردن أن أكون أحد أعضاء ( ace)  لأن أهدافنا هي واحدة لتحقيق الديمقراطية في جميع الانتخابات التي تعقد في بلدي أو أي بلد في هذا العالم الصغير. ولنتبادل الخبرات فيما بيننا كمنظمات مجتمع مدني.

 

وانني أشكر كل القائمين على هذه الشبكة.

 

I have the honor beginning through the Aman Association for Civil Society Development in Jordan to be a member (ace) because our goals are one to achieve democracy in all elections held in my country or any other country in this small world. And to share our experiences with us as civil society organizations.

 I thank all those who on this network.