SEVERAL applications to fill the position of media monitors within the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) have been received.

“Today (yesterday) is the closing date for applications. We have received those applications and the next step will be to go through them, shortlist persons, and make the choice,” the GECOM Chair, Dr. Steve Surujbally, said in an invited comment.

He said successful applicants will also be trained.

“The activities of the MMU continue,” Dr Surujbally assured.

An added measure, introduced in the interest of maintaining the laudable electoral processes of the last few elections, is the operations of the MMU. Funding in the sum of US$100,000 has been secured for the resuscitated MMU, and Dr. Surujbally said this is expected to be released to the Commission shortly.

“The commitments for funding have been made, but that does not stop us from continuing our efforts as it relates to the work of the MMU,” he said.

The primary donors, he added, are the European Union (EU) and Canada, via the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Initially established in 2001, the MMU’s operations are expected to span a five-month period, and its activities, according to the project proposal seen exclusively by the Guyana Chronicle, would include the following: Daily monitoring of Guyana’s mainstream print and broadcast media for conformity to best practices associated with professional journalism; Informing media practitioners in a timely manner of instances of breaches; production of periodic reports on the Unit’s findings on media practitioners’ compliance; Compiling archival information on local media performance for referencing purposes; and providing informational and other support to GECOM’s Public Relations Department.

These are in addition to other undertakings which are outlined in a work plan for the Unit.

The Media Monitoring Unit was revitalised in 2006, and has since come to be “accepted as an objective and credible arbiter of media practices”, as the document highlighted. (Vanessa Narine)