Addis Ababa University (AAU) School of Journalism and Communication (SJC) hosted a two-days long training on Election Reporting jointly with Demera Media and Communication at SJC Lecture Hall from 27 – 28 of April 2021.

Yohannes Shiferaw (PhD), Assistant Professor of Journalism and Communication at AAU, said for an election to be democratic and represent the genuine interests of the people, the competing political parties must have the freedom to campaign, hold meetings, and communicate with voters about their policies, in their pre-election activities.

“If there is only one significant party seeking election, there will be no debate or exchange of ideas and no competing visions for the country,” Yohannes stated regarding the real paradigm of fair and democratic election.

According to Yohannes, during election, media should provide coverage that render the citizen sufficient, accurate and reliable information on electoral issues. Fair Media must ensure that the voters are empowered to make well informed choice, and have to be the voice of citizens in any instance ahead of the election, he added.

“Media in election should offer parties or candidates competing for power, equitable opportunities to be heard or questioned in order to avoid unfair treatments among them. Fair and balanced media coverage also implies that individual stories, and their pattern over a period of time, reflect the views of different parties or candidates,” Yohannes elaborated.

Yohannes further reflected that the fair media must investigate any allegations of electoral malpractice and expose violations to protect the integrity of the election process and keenly observe actual voting as well as the counting and announcement of results to prevent fraud.

The media critically analyze the candidates and/or the parties at all times if they are maintaining fairness and balance; in such regard, evaluation of their “promises” will be made, Yohannes noted.

With regard to balance and neutrality, Yohannes believes that professional journalists must equitably report about party programs and debates between the parties or candidates so that citizens may compare them.

“Professional reporting must never tell citizens who the best choice would be. The journalist should leave that job to editorial writers and commentators,” Yohannes finally remarked.

Both Government and Privately-owned media journalists and representatives attended the training held at the AAU Main Campus (Sidist Kilo).

By: Theodros Shewangizaw

Photo: Fikremariam Beyene

Editor: Abraham Girmay