2.3 ELECTION ISSUE
By definition, a challenge is what can win or lose in a
competition, a company. For the people, the major issue of the election is to
make it free and truly independent, that is master of his own fate. This is the
issue of self-determination. Unfortunately for some politicians and political
groups, the elections are an opportunity to climb to power or control to
acquire or save some benefits.
According to our understanding, the electoral challenge is the
focal point around which the elections are held alternatively, expectations and
aspirations of the people around the elections.
A democracy is always based on the possibility to express
freely varying opinions and well-informed citizens vote. Media and journalists
play therefore a key role in the electoral process in ensuring the flow of
information and opinions, and their confrontation. They allow a better
knowledge of the candidates, parties and programs.
They contribute to the effective participation of citizens in
the democratic debate, particularly by placing at the heart of the campaign
themes of general interest. Guarantors of democracy, journalists were also
instrumental in the legitimation and acceptance of the results of the
elections, in particular in the countries in democratic transition or
crisis.
These responsibilities give journalists rights and duties. The
right to inform freely, without being subject to pressure or intimidation, a
corollary duty to issue to voters responsible, i.e. objective, informative and
constructive information. It is a complex work, with challenges and pitfalls to
avoid. Many are indeed examples of journalists who allowed them to be diverted
from their neutral and impartial fact-finding in favor of partisan,
violence-generating positions taken.
III. MEDIA AND COVERAGE OF THE ELECTIONS
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