Sudanese media report: Hate speech and polarisation in electoral coverage

Spirited coverage of the elections dominated Sudanese media for the majority of 2010 according to the findings in a new report released by the Sudan Media and Elections Consortium

Just in time for the Southern Sudan referendum, the Sudan Media and Elections Consortium (SMEC), a group of national and international organisations including

IMS, today released a comprehensive report detailing media coverage on the previous elections as well as forward-looking recommendations.

Supported by an extensive analysis of television, radio and print eletion coverage, the report outlines several recommendations for the Sudanese media to achieve impartial coverage of candidates and the electoral process.

SMEC counsels policy makers to strengthen the legal framework for elections and referendum and provide a supportive network for journalists. The findings of the report show that Sudanese audiences lack in-depth coverage from debates and talk shows and missing labeling for political advertisements in order to make an informed vote.

Support for the project was provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) branch in Sudan. Deputy Country Director Auke Lootsma extols the potential for media monitoring to advance voter awareness and transparent electoral processes in the report:

“UNDP Sudan trusts that the report will serve as a rich source of information and knowledge; encourage deeper engagement; and inform our continuing work in democratic governance of which media engagement is an integral part”

13 February 2010 marked both the beginning of the electoral campaigns in Sudan and an active monitoring of media coverage by the Sudan Media and Elections Consortium. Consisting of an international collection of partners, including International Media Support (IMS), SUDIA, Norwegian People’s Aid, Fojo, the Arab Working Group and Osservatorio, the consortium has issued a series of reports documenting the hate speech and bias that at times accompanies electoral coverage in Sudan. Alongside this work, SMEC provided a rigorous training programme for journalists that promoted neutral reporting and internal media monitoring.