Media commit to code of conduct
MEDIA practitioners in Guyana have committed themselves to a code of conduct that would guide media coverage of the forthcoming general elections.
Thirty-six media owners, managers, editors, producers, journalists and other practitioners representing the majority of media organisations in the country participated in the Monday roundtable which was hosted by the Elections Commission and supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
The roundtable coordinated by communications specialists Mr Hugh Cholmondeley and Mr Kit Nascimento, devoted a full day to consideration of the principles, practices and acceptable guidelines for coverage during the election campaign period. The participants reached consensus on the specifics of a code of conduct to be observed by newspapers, radio and television stations.
The media code of conduct recognises the constitutional right of free expression and its consequential social responsibility.
It commits all media practitioners to its observation with the understanding that it will not impose prior restraint or censorship on the media.
The media accepted that a commitment to the code is desirable in the interest of conducting a fair, peaceful and well-regulated election and avoiding ethnic tension and unnecessary political discord.
The roundtable was unanimous in concluding that it was essential for the political parties contesting the elections, as well as their respective candidates on political party lists to commit to an electoral code of conduct governing political behaviour during the campaign.
Participants held the view that without the political party commitment to an electoral code of conduct, application of the media code of conduct would be extremely difficult to fulfill.
The roundtable requested the Chairman of the Elections Commission to use his offices to provide financing and organisational support for establishing an independent "Elections Monitoring and Refereeing Panel".
This panel would monitor and receive complaints regarding the performance of the media in complying with the agreed code of conduct.
Further, the media agreed to publish the findings of the panel on all complaints received by it.
The next step will be re-convening the roundtable within a fortnight. At that time, participants will discuss the specific guidelines and practices for coverage of all aspects of elections.
They will also address the need for regulations to govern radio and television broadcasting during the campaign period, the allocation of free time and space in newspapers, radio and television stations for political parties; equal access to advertising and the publication of advertising rate cards.
The guidelines will also consider issues such as reporting of meetings and rallies, the conduct of interviews, call-in, audience participation and other programmes, commentaries, voter education, political party debates and the avoidance of inflammatory and tendentious coverage.
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