U.S. Embassy Lilongwe Hosts Digital Video Conference on Covering Presidential Elections

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Lilongwe hosted a Digital Video Conference (DVC) on “Covering a Presidential Election” on May 13.  With Malawian presidential elections coming in less than a year, it is opportune to introduce to local media practitioners techniques used by a U.S. journalist with much campaign experience.  Veteran journalist and American University in Paris journalism professor, George Kazolias, addressed an audience of nearly 50 people composed of practicing journalists from public and private institutions, government officials, civil society representatives, and journalism students from the Malawi Institute of Journalism and Blantyre Business College. 

Professor Kazolias described the fundamental principles of covering a presidential campaign, focusing on political parties, candidates, the electorate and how to ensure a responsible electoral journalism. 

He said journalists play a crucial role in electoral processes by providing neutral and credible information about candidates and their political platforms and agenda.  He underscored journalists’ obligation to hold elected officials accountable for their campaign promises by reporting on their political and, when appropriate, personal conduct.  

Asked how journalists, especially in public media, can stand political pressures and remain professionally objective without risking their jobs, Professor Kazolias reiterated that a journalist’s greatest weapon is the truth, and his most effective shield is to remain objective and balanced through fair and accurate presentation of facts. 

Drawing from his vast experience, he described in detail the pros and cons of electoral opinion polls.  He also tackled questions on codes of conduct and skills, saying a reporter should vote for a candidate based on his personal opinion, but remain neutral in his reporting.  He said this can be achieved by among other things avoiding freebies from news sources.  

He emphasized that information and source verification is crucial to bringing the public necessary information to enable them make informed choices of candidates.  

One of the journalists commented afterward that “Professor Kazolias professionally tackled the subject especially in the light of the upcoming 2009 general elections and the challenges journalists in public media face in election times.” 

Public Affairs Officer John Warner, who moderated the event, stressed U.S. Government’s commitment to supporting the media, which play significant roles in democratic societies.