Yesterday, 17 April 2018, was the fourth and last of internews’ elections dialogue series that focuses on media and elections. The roundtable event which took place at the Hill Valley Hotel threw light on issues “after run-off and lesson learnt.”
The participants which comprise journalists from both print and electronic discourse about their challenges report during the run off. However, key amongst these challenges was the issue of security of journalists; and the avalanche of fake news. Notwithstanding these challenges there were successes that were worth mentioning, such as the collaboration between journalists and the use of social media as a platform to crowd source.
Joshua Nicole of the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) spoke about their observations of the processes. “During the first round the media did well and I will rate their performance 80%…” he said. However, he noted that during the run-off performances of some media outlets were appalling, as some of them grossly violated the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Code of Conduct.
Internews’ Project Director Arwen Kidd explained that the session was hosted in collaboration with NEC.
She explained that the session is important it is because provides journalists opportunity access in an informal manner to individuals and election management bodies like the NEC and also like various media situation rooms and elections watch group. “Through these series we have involve NEW as well as the Women Situation Room and the Media Situation Room to really have a dialogue with journalists about what kind of information they need for their communities what kind of information that journalists would like to have, what kind of information would election management body would like journalists to have so that journalists can report more accurately and in a timely manner in these elections.”
She also noted that in these elections one thing that is really highlighted among media practitioners was social media. Kidd emphasized the need for training and upgrading “the skills of media professionals in using social media, for responsible reporting, for accurate reporting, and for timely reporting.”
“There are lot of challenges especially when it comes to fake news and misinformation and I think there is lot of work needs to be done there as journalists and media professionals in general,” she said. Internews is working as part of the Consortium for Electoral and Political Process Strengthening the (CEPPS) which comprise five organizations that is funded by USAID.
Internews is specifically is working mostly in the post elections period.
OG/17/4/18
By Ophaniel Gooding
Wednesday April 18, 2018.
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