REPORT ON THE POPULARIZATION OF THE IMC ELECTIONS COVERAGE AND REPORTING REGULATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION
DATE: 31st March 2023
VENUE: DOHAS Hotel: BO City
INTRODUCTION
The programme started with a sound opening welcome remarks by the IMC Board Chairman, Dr. Victor Massaquoi. He welcomed all participants present and declared the workshop opened and gave a rundown of the purpose of the workshop.
The purpose of the workshop was based on popularizing the IMC Elections Coverage and Reporting Regulations—a documents which contents was generated from Media practitioners/institutions, through consultations among 90% of media houses including community Radio stations and stakeholders.
Few observations were highlighted by the IMC Board Chairman from their inspections of media houses; they are thus:
- That most community radio stations had mechanical glitches with their transmitters. The quick fixed to the above problem by the IMC is to get radio transmitters for radio stations but on loan.
- Most radio stations and studios visited were not descent looking and that IMC will ensure compliance before renewals of license and encouraged them to be more professionals in discharging their duties.
- That Media houses have the responsibilities to deescalate the foreseeing tensions in the forthcoming general elections. Any media institution that will go contrary will be held responsible and may be forced to terminate its operations.
A representative from the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)in the person of Mr. Tawanda, also spoke on the vision of the organization that it is geared towards supporting a credible electoral conduct and the provision of instruments that regulate the operations of media houses before, during and after elections. That lauded the efforts of IMC and other media partners for developed a Code of Conduct for media houses that stipulates guidelines in their engagements in all electoral activities. If the developed Code is well harnessed in the 2023 general elections in Sierra Leone, it could be used as a model in elections across the African continent he
PRESENTATIONS
The first presentation was done by the Executive Secretary of IMC, Mr. Khalil Kallon. He gave an overview of the two IMC Regulations and singled out on a fact sheet providing interpretation on the General Guideline for Elections Media Coverage and Reporting.
Mr. Khalil Kallon gave a brief history of the formation of the IMC and the various Acts of Parliament that legitimates the Commission’s activities towards media houses. The emphasis however was on the 2020 IMC Act, that gave enormous powers to the operations of the IMC and that the Act is written in a legal form and not in a narrative form.
Some major issues highlighted from the IMC Elections Coverage and Reporting Regulations document included:
- That the IMC regulates both individual journalists and media institutions;
- The regulations promote democratic principles and good governance;
- It promotes fair, adequate and equitable media coverage and reporting of activities of Political parties;
- Offer equal opportunities and access
IMC General Guidelines
Many major issues were lengthily discussed under the above among which the following key themes were skillfully taught in other to manage media operations in the fourth coming elections.
Covering and Reporting
Under this theme, participants were taught how to help political parties’ candidates/members have equal access to the media to express their views publicly. Journalists or media houses are to cover all phases of the election process. Again, they are to provide equal editorial space to all political parties’ candidates and their manifestos.
Covering and Reporting Political Advertising
Media houses/practitioners in this area, were all encouraged to offer equal opportunities to all political parties without discrimination to access media services and purchase advertising spaces etc. However, media houses/practitioners are to ensure that contents of political parties advertising are not offensive and do not insight hate or ethic divide. They are to make reasonable effort to review stories prior to publication to the public. In addition, media houses are to make adequate, balance and credible reporting and publication for broadcast must follow proper editorial judgement to ensure public safety, security and morality. They are however cautioned not to edit materials for political parties; and they can refuse them publications if the contents of the materials are hateful or threatens public safety.
Coverage and Reporting of Political Opinion Polls
This thematic discuss, helped media practitioners to understand how to publish exact questions asked, and information to respondents. They were again taught how to describe population sampling procedures, size, gender, location etc.
Coverage and Reporting of Incumbent
The meaning of incumbent was well expressed as an official or regime currently holding office. That media houses are to distinguished activities of governance and individual candidates. In reporting, they should focus on official duties not on the duties of the political parties. Efforts are to be made for incumbent not to gain an unfair access to media as against their opponents.
Coverage and Reporting on Elections Day
Media houses were taught how to help people know voting locations, how to help the public know how to vote, time of closure etc. There should not be any campaign broadcast on the day of voting. This presentation also emphasized the activities of Post Elections Period. That reporting should not be one-sided issue or favoring on particular political parties over others. Journalists are to refrain from expressing personal political views. Again, they should not exhibit or wear any symbol or colour associated with political parties; and also, not to publicly endorsed a political party candidate.
In conclusion, the presenter, Mr. Khalil Kallon, encouraged media practitioners to clearly identify themselves during elections for public recognition and they should fully comply with orders from the security sector.
The Second Presentation was done by Mr. James Tamba Lebbie on the IMC Elections (Coverage & Reporting) Regulations.
In Part ll of the above document, the presenter delivered a graphic teaching by the use of discussion teaching method and code-switch lecture method for proper assimilation of the document. This helped media participants to have a fuller understanding of the legal interpretations and implications highlighted in the document. Facial and other forms of responses by the participants during this session indicate the adequate acquisition of knowledge disseminated by the facilitator.
Point 9 (1) which laid emphases on Political advertising was stressed especially “equity” on allocating air space. In this discuss, media houses are to give more time space to the disadvantaged and less to the advantaged; that there should be a fair and public display of the rate of advertising.
Again, in Point 14 (1), of the Part ll IMC Elections Regulations, the facilitator educated media houses to educate the public on what they have learnt from the document. An allowance was given to mandate media houses to air a political party’s candidate’s message 24 hours prior to voting day if the content of the message is to promote peace. Mr. James T. Lebbie concluded this session by admonishing participants to be mindful of the post-Election period as there will be heightened tensions; thus, they should work harder to follow what they are being told at the workshop and the follow the IMC Regulation Codes.
Part lll of the IMC Elections Regulations, the facilitator, emphasizes the conduct of journalists to avoid belonging to political parties’ team during campaigns and election period. Journalists as experts, were also encouraged to give context to jargons used by politicians or the public before broadcasting.
The Third Presentation was done by Dr. Victor Suma on Part lV of IMC Elections Regulations document which focuses on Complaint and Enforcement Procedures.
This presentation was delivered first by giving a general overview of how IMC hear complaints and fair judgement procedures they follow. Furthermore, the facilitator gave a detailed explanation of how complaints against media person/institution from the public or the IMC are handled. Again, in some situations, IMC as a regulatory body could also generate report against a registered media house including Online platforms. In such a situation, the institution is usually summoned.
In the complaint process, there is always a redress mechanism in place if the media house / institution is not pleased with the hearing of the IMC Act.
The last presentation was done by Mr. Khalil Kallon, the Executive Secretary of the IMC on Part V of IMC Elections Regulations document which deals with Offences.
This presentation was done with practical cases the IMC Board has delt with overtime. The case in Kono recently between a broadcasting house and a politician and the Brewery case over pega park packet found in a beer bottle that was published by a media house. These were cited in a bid to educate media institutions to have confidence in the IMC Complaint Committee that the sector is not about witch-hunting. However, few key points on IMC Offences were highlighted.
Point 26 (1) spoke on the Copy wright Infringement. Media institutions are strictly mandated under this section to desist from directly copying people’s work or words in broadcasting operations.
Point 28 (Harassment and Intimidation). Here, journalists are encouraged to avoid pretending to be inspectors or ACC workers to harass people in the collection of information. They should clearly follow the IMC Regulations Act.
Again, publications of gruesome images are not accepted in the new IMC code. Approaches in this regard should be done with sympathy and humanness. In addition to this, nudes and pornographic images, songs etc. that induces sexual immorality are not accepted in media broadcasting.
Further emphasis was also placed on the avoidance of cultural, ethnical or any other public incitement that will bring division and chaos in the country during elections.
From all the highlighted points of discussion, the presenter concluded by informing media houses that any defaulter of the 2022 IMC Act will be liable to a fine ranging from NLe 5,000 to 20,000 or seizure of operating license or the permanent closure of such media institution/institutions
PLENARY DISCUSSIONS
This was the conclusion session of the workshop and its made provisions for participants to comment, contribute and ask questions on the various presentations made.
Participant 1: This participant asked the IMC executives to know if there is any penalty on journalist who published and misinformed the public through social media. The IMC officials responded by saying that they will hold the media house responsible to which the journalist belongs. Again, IMC made it clear that Cyber Crime is punishable now in the country.
Participant 2: This participant was a representative from APC party. He contributed that the IMC should from what was taught ensure that due advantage is not given to the Incumbent during elections. The IMC executives responded that they will ensure best practices by all media houses as recommended for plurality of opinion/views on media expressions.
Participant 3: A question was raised that if during the election period a journalist is given a green or red coloured vehicle to drive, if he is to accept it or not. The IMC encouraged media houses to spray such cars to other colours or keep it out of public reach until after the election processes.
Participant 4: This participant was ECSL official who contributed by cautioning media institutions that since they have known the Election regulations, and that if found wanting of any default, they will be charged for knowing and doing. Therefore, they should collaborate with ECSL on dates and stages of the election process. He further announced that all media houses who wish to participate in covering and reporting election processes should register with them on time.
Participant 5: A concern was raised by this participant that Media houses are business institutions and so they pay running costs, so the clause in the IMC regulatory document on equity in awarding air space to customers should be reviewed. In some cases, media stations have Board members or owners and heads of station. Conflict of interest sometimes comes in when that station owner is in support of a political party and can force the journalists working for him to follow his interest irrespective of the IMC elections regulations. Furthermore, a question was asked why the IMC officials or document should stop media institutions from publicly supporting political parties. The IMC officials responded that due to the fragile democracy in the country, it is not encouraged for now for media institutions to openly support Political Parties.
Participant 6: This participant was a police inspector. He contributed that their mandate is to provide security and that they do not interfere with the mandate of the ECSL and journalists. The police is not part of the Polling center control. However, they only act on the instructions of polling center coordinator.
Participant 7: The SLBC station manager Bo, in this capacity, cautions political parties to always deal with station managers instead of handpicking a reporter without the knowledge of the station manager. This is what sometimes cause problem in the mal-representation of media institutions
Participant 8: This the last participant in the plenary discussion. The participant was a representation from SLPP. He expressed happiness and for being invited to the workshop as he had learnt a lot about the role media houses play in the conduct of credible elections. He however raised a concern from the IMC election regulations document in which political parties are not allowed to select a moderator among themselves when they have bought airtime; but to get a moderator from among journalist. He pleaded that clause be reviewed by the IMC.
CONCLUSION
From the general participants, the entire exercise on the IMC Elections Regulations Act, was timely and appropriate as we approach a seemingly tense elections; and the role of journalists are so pivotal towards a peaceful and credible elections. This was the impression and feelings of all participants in the workshop.
Peter B. Myers
Rapporteur—Southern Region
