"This manual offers a basic description of a new method of developing journalistic skills to cover elections, and provides some essential information about elections and reporting responsibilities and techniques. Although it can be used in a wide range of elections, referenda and other votes around the world, it is specifically designed as a tool for coaching journalists in countries marked by conflict, or countries in the midst of a transition to democracy. The manual, as you will see, is foremost intended for those persons – we call them coaches – who are assisting in skills development. It is a handbook for those who are doing the coaching, or providing the training. But the information about elections and reporting is also meant to be passed on to reporters, editors and managers who are developing their skills. So the information here is to be shared, copied and used as journalists’ guidelines, as much as possible.
This manual stems from a Réseau Liberté journalism development programme funded by CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency). This programme to support Haitian media involves two main partners: CBC/Radio-Canada’s Institute for Training in Public Broadcasting and the Montreal-based NGO, Alternatives. After conducting several traditional training seminars to help journalists prepare to cover the 2005 - 2006 elections in Haiti, Réseau Liberté wanted to try another approach. This consisted of working with the journalists and the media outlets in their daily tasks, rather than inviting them to seminars outside their workplace. This new approach was examined and developed into a structured new methodology of media development which we call “coaching.” The methodology was supported by a handbook or manual for the coaches, covering Haiti-specific issues and election reporting generally." (Introduction)