Guidelines for parties to deal with the media

The legislated electoral Code of Conduct requires political parties and candidates to respect the role of the media during elections.  It reads:

Every party and every candidate—
(1) must respect the role of the media before, during and after an election;
(2) may not prevent access by members of the media to public political meetings, marches, demonstrations and rallies; and
(3) must take all reasonable steps to ensure that journalists are not subjected to harassment, intimidation, hazard, threat or physical assault by any of their representatives or supporters.

As a result of numerous incidents of intimidation and online harassment of journalists during previous elections, Sanef engaged the IEC on ways to provide more detailed guidance on the implementation of the media clause by parties, their leaders and supporters. As a result Sanef submitted to the IEC a proposed supplementary Electoral Code of Conduct on Media-Related Matters, for their consideration and further consultation with affected parties.

The proposed Media-Related Code is intended to support the indispensable role of the media in the conduct of free, fair and orderly elections through enabling an informed and engaged electorate, and to create the necessary enabling environment in order for the media to do so without fear or threat.