Every year at this time, journalists from around the world pause to observe World Press Freedom Day. This year’s theme is Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation.
The media is a vital component of democracy. In fact, it is the cornerstone of any democratic society. We bring governance issues to the forefront, expose flaws in the justice system, we are the whistleblowers when corruption looms and we are the window into the electoral process. For us to continue to be that key player in the democratic process, we must ensure that information is relevant, timely and, most importantly, accurate.
If our elections are to be free and fair, journalists must understand that the coverage of elections is not like a regular beat. It is tracking a complex system with several moving parts and many opportunities for operatives to pervert the process in hopes of swaying the results in their favour. Disinformation poses a very real threat to the electoral process, so verification of facts is paramount to a free and fair electoral system.
There is a global trend of foreign interference in the electoral process and while this kind of meddling may seem like a distant reality, we must recognise that we in the region are not immune from similar intrusions by geopolitical or commercial interests.
The challenge is that despite having more access to information than ever before, disinformation is more rampant than ever. Let us recommit as journalists to call out disinformation wherever we see it and embrace the basic tenets of good journalism by giving verified facts without the taint of bias.
