The Role of the Media in Elections - Integrity Group Barbados

The Role of the Media in Elections

Alternative facts and fake news are just other names for propaganda. Irrespective of what we call bad information, the previous U.S elections shows the considerable impact it could have. In the era of digital technology and social media, information has acquired a near omnipresent quality. Like the U.S, Barbadians also have access to a 24-hour information cycle. Yet, it is this cycle where information often loses its divinity, since being everywhere always does not equate to being accurate every time. This wide access to “fake news” adds to the importance of reliable media outlets since their role is to discern facts from fiction. Having this reliable information contributes to a successful election as it helps to ensure transparency and honesty prevail.

Barbadians must be well informed

Part of this success requires the media to keep Barbadians well informed, provide sufficient space for debating ideas is, ask hard questions, and provide access for candidates and citizens. The absence of these would mean that Barbadian’s political judgments are impaired as they head to the ballot-box. This impairment naturally results in poor decision-making which could have lasting consequences on individual’s lives and the society. It therefore is the role of the media to provide Barbadians with the reliable and accurate information necessary to make informed decisions during elections.

Arriving at this reliable and accurate information is contingent on the practice of good journalism which involves a high degree of impartiality and integrity. Journalist then ought not to compromise these qualities despite the effects electoral outcomes can have on their lives. The media’s ability to access information is also necessary to keep Barbadians well informed. This ability however is hindered by the failure to pass a Freedom of Information Act which was promised by the current administration. This Act would be valuable on the statue books as it is designed to increase governmental transparency by granting access to the activities of government. Given the economic realities which the island faces a Freedom of Information Act is an absolute necessity for informed decision making during the election.

The media’s corporate interest should be balanced

Further, the success of the upcoming elections is also dependent on the media’s willingness to balance corporate interest with their social responsibility. The lure of advertising income from a political party can result in corporate biases which could then translate into biased reporting. Additionally, the media must reject the notion that money should be the sole basis for exposure. As such, greater attention should be paid to adequate reporting across the political divide. Only then can Barbadians get a fair and accurate assessment of the political options at their disposal.

The media should operate at a higher standard

Given the media’s ability to frame and fuel national discussions, the activities which they report have considerable impact on the quality of discourse at election periods. Election campaigns can often become rancorous and vulgar and reporting on these occurrences can encourage these tasteless and valueless political displays. Media houses therefore should insist that such displays receive no visibility as their reporting should be guided by a strict code of conduct. As a guardian of the electoral process, the media must elevate political discourse while bringing decency to political climate. Barbadians should not be distracted by such displays and instead be encouraged to focus on meaningful issues.

The success of our elections is hinged upon a free, fair and substantive process. Indeed, one of the tenants of free and fair elections is that they must be competitive, that is, they must offer the electorate an unbiased choice among alternatives. The media is an enormously powerful tool and how it undertakes its role during elections can help to determine its success. The conditions of access to the media have substantial influence on the ability to compete in a level-playing field for electoral office. Therefore, what Barbadians need is a thoughtful, reliable and impartial media acting as the chief mediator in our elections. This requires a high level of integrity in their operations while ensuring political candidates are held to account.  All of this is also partly contingent on the media’s ability to operate in a safe environment which will enable them to investigate and report news without intimidation or fear of retribution. This will also ensure their ability to publish their reports without censorship.

Why is good media coverage critical to electoral integrity? 

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