Elections and mainstream media

With elections around the corner, the role of Mainstream Media (MSM) comes into focus more than at other times. In spite of the saturation of smartphones which allows widespread access to social media, a majority of people still turn to newspapers, radio and television to get their news. This is why the media needs to be unbiased, fair and accurate in its reporting on these crucial weeks in the lead up to the election.

From the country’s experiences during the 2019 elections, misinformation/disinformation played a big role in garnering votes in favour of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Manufactured news of miraculous happenings such as the appearance of a sacred snake and other such fake news helped bolster the image of Rajapaksa and won him a landslide victory.

Since the announcement of the Presidential election scheduled for 21 September, there have been rumours and gossip which have found their way to the MSM and are being reported as fact. Remarks made by various persons are given airplay/printed thus misleading the public. Fake news when it’s reported in the mainstream media gains traction on social media and gets amplified many times over and how many denials are issued thereafter have little impact. A cynical public prefers to believe in what is first reported than denials that follow.

The Election Commission, like in past years, has issued media guidelines but these get largely ignored. The guidelines require all telecasting, broadcasting and print media to be neutral and impartial in their reporting of election related matters as well as provide accurate, balanced and impartial information in broadcasting/televising their news bulletins and other programs relating to political matters.

The EC guidelines state that air time of any program or news bulletin should not be utilised for unsubstantiated allegations against candidates contesting at an election that cannot be reasonably proved and if a candidate or a political party claims that another candidate or a supporter has made any false statement against him/her/party, opportunity should be availed of to him/her/party to counter same.

These are lofty expectations from the media, not only in Sri Lanka but in any country but even if full compliance is not realistic, accurate, balanced and impartial reporting is the responsibility of all journalists and media institutions.

The voices of reason will become even more drowned as the election campaigning gets into full swing after the nominations are handed over on 15 August. The spread of fake news will gain more traction and media institutions who have their own loyalties to different candidates will begin to accelerate their one-sided reporting thus confusing voters as well as misleading them.

One disturbing fact in Sri Lanka is the stirring of communal sentiments. Race relations take a nosedive during elections as parties battle it out, some doing their best to win over the majority vote while others court minority voters. Playing to race and religious sentiments has become an easy way to bait voters. Sri Lankan voters are divided along many lines and election time deepens these divisions. None of the main candidates who are running have spoken on the need to build national consensus but have been focusing on petty personal issues.

Which is why the MSM needs to be the voice of reason and report the unabashed truth on each candidate for the benefit of the voters. Painting those they favour as faultless and the others as villains will only lead the country to a bigger mess than it is already in. The media needs to rise above their personal interests and agendas and give the public the chance to make a well-informed choice.