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Elections can be a key element either in conflict resolution or escalation. Therefore, free and fair elections are essential for democracy consolidation and conflict prevention. The role and professionalism of media are crucial during such periods.
It is with this mind, and within the framework of UNESCO’s programme for Assistance to Media in Conflict Situations, that UNESCO, together with the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation, organised in December two parallel workshops in Ramallah and Gaza on reporting and media coverage of Palestinian General Elections.
The two workshops, run in close cooperation with UNESCO’s Ramallah office, were designed to prepare and train a new generation of journalists to competently cover the elections in a critical and balanced manner both nationally and locally. Areas covered by the workshops included:
- reporting on candidates, parties and campaigning,
- legal framework for elections and media,
- political talk shows and debates,
- paid political advertisement,
- election result coverage, analysis and political follow-up.
The participants were selected from both the public and private media with a balanced representation of women journalists.
UNESCO brings its competence and assistance to the media in Palestine in many forms, such as long- and short term projects to foster the development of independent and pluralistic media; or an advice to the Government in its ambitious plan to redraft media legislation towards international standards.
Document Sources: United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Subject: Assistance, Electoral issues
Publication Date: 25/01/2006