broadcast media – and by granting radio and television airtime to all parties and candidates. But the moral and professional responsibility to inform voters applies to all journalists, not only those working for state-owned media. Naturally, this responsibility to inform affects the political environment. Citizens need information from the media in order to better know the candidates, the programmes of the parties and the issues up for debate. But journalists also have a role to play in the electoral education of citizens.
Contributing to voter education The journalist must provide citizens with information on voting procedures: • Who may vote and who may run for office? • Where, when and how does a citizen register to vote? • Where, when and how do citizens cast ballots? • What kind of election is this (legislative, presidential, municipal)? • What are the positions to which candidates will be elected and what powers and responsibilities will those elected enjoy? This information is important in all countries, but all the more so in countries in which democracy is new and/or in which many people are barely literate. Journalistic information can help awaken political consciousness and a high level of voter participation. For example, explaining in detail the procedures that guarantee the secrecy of the ballot – thereby preventing retaliation – can calm the fears that some voters have. These practical guides can take the form of articles on the work of civil society organizations or government agencies specialising in voter education. Stories may also report on citizens’ understanding of different aspects of the election process, perhaps showing the aspects that need further attention. The dissemination of these stories demand serious advance preparation by journalists.
CHAPTER 1. RULES FOR JOURNALISTS
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