Elections Reporting and Peace Journalism Manual
Zimbabwe Media Commission (2023), xii, 116 pp.
"The main objective of coming up with the manual is to equip media practitioners and media houses with the necessary knowledge and skills on how to report elections to assist in the creation of a conducive environment for the holding of free and credible elections. The manual gives media practitioners an opportunity to understand basic electoral processes as well as the electoral cycle. It is the Zimbabwe Media Commission's expectation that this manual will be used as a critical resource material in the training of media practitioners towards the appreciation and understanding of the electoral cycle. It is also hoped that the manual will be used by training institutions as part of training modules in elections reporting. The manual is also intended to raise awareness on media practitioners' safety when covering electoral processes and any other related activities." (Foreword, page II-iii)
Introduction 1
Defining Election 5
What is a free and fair election? 6
Traits of an Elections Reporter 8
Sources of Elections Reporting in Zimbabwe 10
Resources for Media Practitioners Covering Elections 12
Political Parties 13
Key issues Journalists must be familiar with when covering Elections, 15
Electoral Systems 16
The Media and Elections 18
Ingredients of a Good Elections Story, 23
Legal Framework and Conventions Governing the Conduct of Zimbabwean Media in Elections, 39
The Constitution of Zimbabwe, 40
The Electoral Act, 45
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), 48
SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, 51
Objectives of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, 53
Principles for Conducting Democratic Elections, 55
African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, 59
Elections and Women, 62
Elections and the Youth, 68
Elections and People with Disabilities (PWD's), 71
Election of Chiefs to Parliament, 72
Provincial Council PR System, 73
The Media and the Election Cycle, 74
Safety of Media Practitioners during Elections, 82
Adapted from lrex and UNESCO guidelines on safety of media practitioners, 84
Peace Journalism, 90
Common terminologies in conflict, 94
Conflict-sensitive Journalism during Elections, 98
Roles Journalism can play in Reporting Conflict, 101
Peace Journalism imperative during Conflicts, 106
Validation workshop participants, 112
Essential resources for Journalists covering elections, 115
Defining Election 5
What is a free and fair election? 6
Traits of an Elections Reporter 8
Sources of Elections Reporting in Zimbabwe 10
Resources for Media Practitioners Covering Elections 12
Political Parties 13
Key issues Journalists must be familiar with when covering Elections, 15
Electoral Systems 16
The Media and Elections 18
Ingredients of a Good Elections Story, 23
Legal Framework and Conventions Governing the Conduct of Zimbabwean Media in Elections, 39
The Constitution of Zimbabwe, 40
The Electoral Act, 45
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), 48
SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, 51
Objectives of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, 53
Principles for Conducting Democratic Elections, 55
African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, 59
Elections and Women, 62
Elections and the Youth, 68
Elections and People with Disabilities (PWD's), 71
Election of Chiefs to Parliament, 72
Provincial Council PR System, 73
The Media and the Election Cycle, 74
Safety of Media Practitioners during Elections, 82
Adapted from lrex and UNESCO guidelines on safety of media practitioners, 84
Peace Journalism, 90
Common terminologies in conflict, 94
Conflict-sensitive Journalism during Elections, 98
Roles Journalism can play in Reporting Conflict, 101
Peace Journalism imperative during Conflicts, 106
Validation workshop participants, 112
Essential resources for Journalists covering elections, 115
