EC wants media to desist from propagating information inducing hatred and intolerance

• Media guidelines require institutions to avoid propagating hateful politics among political activists and within society
• Calls for accurate, balanced and impartial information
• Neutrality and impartiality of media to be monitored regularly Committee on election complaints
• Adherence to guidelines essential to ensure free and fair election

By Chandani Kirinde

The Election Commission has directed all media institutions to desist from propagating information that induces hatred and intolerance.

In guidelines issued ahead of the 16 November Presidential Election, the EC directed media institution to refrain from broadcasting, telecasting or publishing propaganda that may create or induce hatred and intolerance among people on various grounds including the religious beliefs, faiths practice, languages spoken, ethnicity, customs and castes. 

The EC has also directed media institution to avoid broadcasting, telecasting or publishing propaganda activities that promote hateful politics among political activists and within society.

The EC guidelines cover a wide range of issues all directed at prompting media institution to provide accurate, balanced and impartial information in broadcasting or televising their news bulletins and any other program relating to political matters.

The neutrality and impartiality of media will be monitored regularly by the Standing Committee of Permanent Representatives on Elections Complaints and the Standing Committee of Permanent Representatives on Media Guidelines.

As part of the guidelines, presenters of programmed and announcers of television and radio channels have been advised to refrain from expressing personal views at the newspaper desks where newspaper headlines and cartoons are presented which may promote one party while prejudice another.

Proprietors of all electronic and print media will require to adhere to these guidelines and ensure that the respective institutions observe such guidelines while it will also be the responsibility of the administrators of social media sites to follow these guidelines as applicable to them, during any election period. The EC said it is essential to adhere to these guidelines so as to ensure a free and fair election.