Critical analysis of the Democratic Republic of Congo national tv coverage of the 2011 elections. Case study of Kinshasa city

3.2 COMMUNICATIVE THEORY OF ACTING IN THE ELECTORAL CONTEXT

Present on all fronts bioethics, Europe or revisionism, Jürgen Habermas is arguably one of the great intellectual figures of our time. Former assistant to Theodor Adorno, considered as the heir of the Frankfurt School. As such, he was deeply influenced by Marxism and criticism of the technical and scientific rationality which instrumentaliserait the nature but also human for the interests of the dominant class.

The publication of theory of action communication constitutes a turning point in the thought of Habermas since it will deviate from the critical theory advocated by the Frankfurt School to be closer to the spirit of the enlightenment by valuing the "communication", which would be only able to produce a democratic agreement. It then includes its desire to respond in public space, which occupies an essential place in his opinion in the functioning of our societies.

Habermas is a particularly difficult author and theory of action communication is no exception to this rule. To do this, the German philosopher built a history of modern theories of Max Weber in Max Horkheimer and Adorno passing by George H. Mead, Emile Durkheim, but also by the achievements of the pragmatics of language with John L. Austin and John Searle to sit his concept of a "communicative reason. Where of course a great abstraction of the book which was the rest well often alleged.

3.2.1 ACCURACY, FAIRNESS AND SINCERITY

But do not stop at this because the theses of the German philosopher are not less strong and have a decisive influence on contemporary thought. If, in his early works, he did criticism of Western reason as the expression of techno science dominating and alienating, it shows in theory of acting communicational reason also has a communicational function which is spontaneously rooted in language and speech, even in its more everyday forms.

The statements issued by anyone who seeks to understand others have a triple the validity claim: claim to accuracy, claim to accuracy compared to the social context and its standards, and finally claim to sincerity.

This is why it is possible, even in having taken note of the failure of great metaphysical systems, to reach consensus on ethical or political standards by discussing in a reasoned manner. It includes therefore the debate will Habermas with postmodernism.

Postmodern thought no longer believe in the reason: any speech can be that relative because our time has shown that could hardly establish universal norms. Theory of acting communicational shows on the contrary that the communicative reason allows us to break the deadlock and "without dramatizing take leave of the concept of absolute.

4. JURISDICTION MEDIA ANALYTICS

According to DEVILLE, G, in his book the power of the media stresses that the facilitation of human social relationships between the candidates of the opposition and the majority, has paved the way for media coverage. And retain the opinion poll represents much of the media coverage of the election campaign.

Polls are a sophisticated way to quantify public opinion on elections and to know the percentage of voters who share the same views. Political parties make use of polls to find out what voters think of their leader and their electoral program.

Following the results of the polls, the parties sometimes alter their manifestos and the words of their leaders. Generally, by claiming that their leaders are popular, parties are trying to encourage voters to vote for them. Polls can influence on the vote because voters, generally, allow themselves to be influenced by the general trend.

Polls are a source of exciting information in the elections because the political leaders are presented as being in a race in the election. However, the polls are representative only of a brief vision of public opinion at a given time. It could very well change a few days after the poll following new information. Polls attract too much attention and could easily influence elections.

It also other persons who wish to present their views on the elections. There are specific communities of united people not only geographically, but also by common interests, such as, for example, farmers, fishermen, merchants, teachers, etc. These communities might be also the elderly, victims of anti-personnel mines, the relatives of the victims of recent wars, or people belonging to the same caste or tribe, etc.

These communities often express real problems, but they are unable to make themselves heard enough because they are poor, live in remote areas or are victims of discrimination. For media, there is nothing easier than to follow politicians and repeat what they say in their speeches. However, it is imperative that they communicate the voice of minority voters and politicians so political candidates address their problems.^10(*)

There are also experts who provide opinions reflected on the problems and manifestos. It can be teachers universities, or specialists in specific areas such as women's rights, human rights or the rights of employees, or former elected or former elections officials. Experts bring new ideas and offer new perspectives to the voters and the media during the campaign.

Walking shoes voters help the journalist to produce stories. This creates questions to be put to politicians. For example: what is the first thing to which the voter believes? Certainly the security. The voter wants to be reassured that acts of violence will not occur at polling stations and the vote will remain secret. He also wants to know where to head to complaints of threats against him. It is easy to raise these issues in stories collected in local communities or across the country.

Media must inform the electors of the electoral laws. They also interview the police, the electoral commission or the voters who have been victims of violence in the previous elections. The media must know what measures had been taken to deal with such acts in the current election. How do react officials and politicians in the event of outbreak of new violence? Open an investigation? Are they able to put an end to these acts? Are they trying to stop? Voters also want to know the choices about the vote on candidates put at their disposal during the polling day.

What are the names on the list of electors? Voters have the right to obtain information regarding the candidates and political parties. They need to compare different parties' election promises. An objective reportage showing the different promises of parties over a specific problem of the community will give choice more thoughtful voters.

When it starts instead of an elector, it must be remembered a thing it is that the voter wants to know the opinions of its region. The journalist can ask the same questions to members of the same community voter. This method gives an idea about the main concerns of the community voter. For example, the journalist can ask the question to voters: "what is the problem most important you would like that the Government deals with priority?", or "what do you think of the acts of violence that have marked these elections? ''

These questions can be posed to people in a restaurant or people crossing a bridge at a time any day or women who are waiting for the bus at a station. This method is to know the concerns of the citizens in their daily lives. If their responses are similar, this could reflect the opinion of a greater number of voters and therefore, this could be a hot topic. Even if the answers are conflicting, this could be the subject of a report. However, this is only the beginning of a long process.

The journalist must first collect information by asking candidates what their parties will do to meet the needs and concerns of voters. This journalism reflects the voice of the voters.

Journalists should also ask candidates what they think the most important concerns of the voters and also compare their statements with those of the other candidates.

* ¹⁰ Clark, Roy Peter and Cole C. Campbell. The Values and Craft of American Journalism: Essays from the Poynter Institute. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, 2005.