Section 5
Conflict Sensitivity
5.0. Conflict Sensitivity
Violent conflicts are obstacles to the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections as they could lead to voter apathy and hinder the free performance of media roles and responsibilities during electoral processes.
Accordingly:
The Responsibilities of Journalists
5.1. A journalist shall be conflict-sensitive and alert to early warning signals
of possible outbreak of violent conflict during elections, which should be duly reported;
5.2. A journalist shall work for the de-escalation of violent conflicts, should they occur during elections;
5.3. A journalist shall give equitable opportunity to diverse sides of a political or electoral conflict to state their case;
5.4. A journalist shall use temperate language and non-offensive images in reporting political/electoral tensions and conflicts;
5.5. A journalist shall keep to the facts of a political/electoral conflict;
5.6. A journalist shall be cautious in reporting figures and identities of casualties of violent conflicts to avoid inflaming passions;
The Responsibilities of Media Organisations
5.7. A media organisation shall work for the reduction of conflict and promote
the common values of peace without compromising the duty to inform;
5.8. A media organisation shall exercise professional discretion in news reporting and casting of headlines to avoid publishing or broadcasting information that may lead to or escalate violent conflict.
