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U.N. Provides Election Guide for Media

► “Media & Elections: A Guide for Electoral Practitioners” available ◄

By Amber Mubeen

Professor Amber Mubeen of the University of Central Punjab pointed us to the following United Nations guide on election coverage.

From the guide, which is titled “Media & Elections: A Guide for Electoral Practitioners“:

Credible and inclusive elections are based on a number of basic democratic principles. These are affirmed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Key among these are the rights to freedom of speech, access to information and equality before the law. These principles mean that the electorate and political actors have the right to freely discuss political issues and public policies and to express opinions.

Voters and candidates rely heavily on access to the media to both impart and receive information. This requires an open and diverse media that can provide balanced and impartial coverage and equitable access for competing candidates and parties.