Media monitoring in Belarus: "Belarusian media coverage of the 2007 local elections"

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MEDIA MONITORING IN BELARUS: “BELARUSIAN MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE 2007 LOCAL ELECTIONS”

CONCLUSIONS

Introduction

Summary of findings

Main findings

Media effects

Post elections' coverage

Conclusions

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

The monitored State-owned media largely ignored the political character of the local elections and did not present them as a real political event.

By having concentrated on the activities of different level elections commissions the State-owned media failed to properly introduce the main protagonists of the elections — the election contestants. In addition, they did not offer analysed and assessed views of election platforms of persons seeking elected office in the elections. This resulted in a selective, incomplete and unbalanced coverage of the elections.

While even the pro-regime candidates did not receive any significant coverage, they still had an extra advantage given the bias coverage of the State officials, both in tone and space. In addition, the State-owned media at times demonstrated a pattern of hidden promotion of pro-regime candidates when publishing interviews that failed to clearly acknowledge their status and affiliation. The State-funded newspapers failed to provide adequate and objective information about election contestants, thus not enabling the voters to make a well-informed and intelligent choice at the ballot box.

The State-owned media showed a bias coverage in favor of the State administration, both in tone and time/space allocation. When opponents of the regime were mentioned, it was exclusively in negative terms.

The limited format of direct access programs did not allow candidates to address large audiences, thus further preventing them from properly introducing their election and political platforms. As such, the ability of voters to receive information on different election platforms and views was severely reduced.

In conclusion, the media's biased coverage and ignorance of the elections demonstrated that Belarus lacks a strong and independent media able to provide objective and balanced information to enable the electorate to make a well-informed decision. The monitored media did not offer a forum for the exchange of opinions, public debate and commentary that would offer the public informed, analysed and assessed views of persons and groups seeking elected office in the elections.

Post elections' coverage

Conclusions

Appendix 2