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”

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Summary of findings

Main findings

Media effects

Post elections' coverage

Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), an independent, non-partisan Belarusian NGO dedicated to freedom of expression and the media, implemented its media monitoring project in connection with the 14 January local elections.

BAJ sought to evaluate the mass media's performance in providing objective and balanced coverage of the candidates and their platforms so the citizens of Belarus could make a well-informed choice at the ballot box. The project's findings were determined through a well-defined and rigorous methodology and were not intended to support any one candidate or political party, but the integrity of the media environment as a whole during the campaign season.

Media monitoring was carried out from 4 th December 2006 through 14 th January 2007 using quantitative and qualitative method of analysis [For the description of methodology, see APPENDIX 3]. Quantitative analysis measured the total amount of time and space devoted to elections-related coverage on 28 media outlets (state-funded television, state-funded radio, and local TV stations, national and regional newspapers)*.

* For the selection criteria, see monitoring methodology (APPENDIX 3). For the monitored media outlets, see APPENDIX 2. It should be noted that the overwhelming majority of selected media outlets were State-owned. This is the result of the systematic State policy aimed at the marginalization and closure of the independent press in Belarus. As for the electronic media, the only independent FM radio station was closed down back in 1996.

The monitoring took place over three periods, 4—16 December (candidate's registration), 18 December — 9 January (election campaign) and 10—14 January (until the Election Day). The post election period was also analyzed (the preliminary and official announcement of the results).

This is the final report, which summarizes the whole period of monitoring. Apart from the pre-election and election phase, it also includes analysis of the post-election period.

Introduction

Summary of findings