Handbook for Journalists during Elections

"This handbook is designed to help journalists practice their craft to the best of their abilities during political periods that arouse great passion and demand considerable professional sensitivity."

From the preface: "This Handbook for Journalists During Elections was produced by Reporters Without Borders and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) to help journalists assume their responsibilities and cover elections successfully. It is meant for journalists working for media of every category (radio, television, print and online), scale (local, national or international) and form of ownership (state-owned, privately owned or community.)

It is vital that journalists be trained and imbued with the appropriate professional and ethical values so that they can transmit fair and balanced information about the candidates, their programmes, and the electoral process. Journalists have to be able to give citizens the tools they need to understand their country, what is at stake in the vote, and help them make their electoral decisions....

The journalistic profession is governed by rules of conduct and universal ethical principles. This handbook does not simply outline them in theoretical fashion. It applies them to the realities on the ground while taking into account the cultural, political and social environment of each country and the specific characteristics of each election. It also uses examples based on typical real-life cases.

This handbook is meant to be a toolbox providing practical responses to the many questions that underlie all aspects of election coverage. These range from the rules of campaign reporting to the specifics of the voting process. It offers journalists techniques to understand, analyse and fairly transmit news. It enables them to intelligently take on their role of sceptical and independent observers and to have a better grasp of their craft. In so doing, the handbook helps to strengthen the practice of democracy."

The contents include the following:

• Preface
• Introduction
• RULES FOR JOURNALISTS
  • Freedom of opinion and expression
  • The obligation to keep voters informed
  • Accuracy and verification
  • Balance, neutrality and honesty
  • Independence and honesty
  • Social responsibility
• SPECIFICS OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS
  • The legal framework
  • Voter registration
  • Election administration
  • Candidates and parties
  • Fair access to media
  • Election day
  • Announcement of results
  • Other participants in election observation
  • How to respond to election fraud
• ELECTION CAMPAIGN COVERAGE
  • Designing a coverage plan
  • Handling campaign rhetoric
  • Citizen-oriented journalism
  • Politician interviews
  • Opinion polls
  • Election coverage in conflict zones
  • Election coverage in volatile situations 
• Overview: Rules for Journalists During Elections