IN the lead-up to the National and Regional Elections scheduled for May 11, 2015, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday launched a two-day stakeholders’ forum for media proprietors and practitioners at the Georgetown Club. The workshop is intended to revise the Media Code of Conduct (MCC) employed during the 2011 elections with a view to having media houses sign and implement it for the 2015 elections.

The opening session of the workshop which is being facilitated by Media Consultant, Dr. Paloma Mohamed, was addressed by GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally who also officially declared the workshop open; Romel Roopnarine and Charles Griffith from the Guyana Press Association (GPA) and Guyana Media Proprietors Association (GMPA) respectively.
GOOD JUDGMENT
Surujbally in his opening remarks reminded of the responsibility of media houses to exercise good judgment given that small things could lead to potentially great consequences. He pointed to the need for media practitioners to understand the electoral process and to assist in educating the population on the process to help to reduce anxiety.
He also alluded to the difficulty in physically accessing results from hinterland communities and the need to verify all results before they are declared as some of the challenges GECOM faces that result in apparent delays in announcing the results after polling day.
The GECOM Chairman said that during the 2011 elections media practitioners honoured the code of conduct and it was his hope that the same spirit will continue. He also urged that they should use the power entrusted to them to assist in maintaining democracy and building a stable Guyana.
Griffith who represented the GMPA in his presentation urged the media to assist in the education of the population to ensure that persons voting will be making an informed choice. He stated that every effort should be made to reduce tensions and promote fairness. Roopnarine who is also Secretary of the GPA reminded of the potential dangers media workers are exposed to while executing their duties.
Facilitator of the workshop, Dr. Paloma Mohamed reminded that the media in their reportage should be accountable; act independently; minimise harm; seek the truth and maintain its integrity.

SOCIAL MEDIA
She pointed out the increasing role being played by the internet and social media as a source for news, stating that the present code of conduct did not address these areas.
The workshop is being attended by media practitioners from state and private media, proprietors and representatives of the GECOM Media Monitoring Unit. It is expected that at the end of today’s sessions the amended code of conduct that will guide reporting during the 2015 election period will be prepared and signed on to by all media houses.

(By Raymon Cummings)