(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 10 March 2004 FMM press release: FMM commends Election Commissioner’s guidelines on election reporting FMM, a freedom of expression organization that believes in the media’s social responsibility, welcomes the Elections Commissioner’s (EC) guidelines to be observed by the electronic media when covering the general election to be held in […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 10 March 2004 FMM press release:
FMM commends Election Commissioner’s guidelines on election reporting
FMM, a freedom of expression organization that believes in the media’s social responsibility, welcomes the Elections Commissioner’s (EC) guidelines to be observed by the electronic media when covering the general election to be held in Sri Lanka on 2 April 2004. The election commissioner issued the guidelines on 9 March 2004.
FMM has always been concerned about the role played by the media in the context of an election campaign and in particular about the biases and prejudices reflected in the media. These biases and prejudices have prevented the media from fulfilling its role in informing and educating the public, providing a platform for political debate and discourse that reflects diverse viewpoints, and playing a role in the public interest during an election.
FMM urges all electronic media organisations that have not publicly acknowledged any political party affiliations to adhere to the EC’ s guidelines in covering the forthcoming general election.
At the same time, FMM would like to reiterate that the state-owned media institutions have an obligation to be fair and non-partisan, especially during an election campaign, and to implement the EC’s guidelines in full. Given the tradition of state media becoming propaganda tools of the ruling party, FMM requests that the EC take a special interest in the state media’s behaviour during the election and take appropriate measures to correct any persisting imbalances.
In addition, FMM urges the print media outlets to commit themselves to accurate, fair and responsible coverage of the election campaign. The EC’s guidelines, as well as the code of professional practice adopted by the Voluntary Press Complaints Commission, could be the guiding principles in this regard.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Spokesperson, FMM
