INDEPNDENT MEDIA COMMISSION OBSERVATION REPORT ON MEDIA COVERAGE AND REPORTING OF THE JUNE 24TH 2023 MULTITIER ELECTIONS

INDEPENDENT MEDIA COMMISSION

3^rd Floor, Kissy House

54 Siaka Stevens Street

Freetown

E-mail: info@imc.gov.sl                                                                        076-724-854/076-695-950

www.imc.gov.sl                                                                                      5^th July 2023

INDEPNDENT MEDIA COMMISSION OBSERVATION REPORT ON MEDIA COVERAGE AND REPORTING OF THE JUNE 24^TH 2023 MULTITIER ELECTIONS

1. Introduction:

The Independent Media Commission Act, 2020, provides for the continuation of the Independent Media Commission, to provide for the registration and regulation of mass media institutions in Sierra Leone licensing institutions engaged in radio, television or direct to home digital satellite service broadcasting and registration of persons and institutions engaged in the publication of newspapers, magazines in Sierra Leone and to provide for other related matters.

The Commission in the period leading to the 2023 elections in Sierra Leone, reviewed it Reporting and Coverage of General and Local Election guidelines to Elections Coverage and Reporting Regulations 2022, in line with international best practices to promote democracy, peace and good governance by providing fair, adequate and equitable media coverage and reporting of the activities of political parties/candidates in Sierra Leone; offer equal opportunity and access to all political parties and candidates in presenting their manifestoes to the public; and to provide guide for media coverage and reporting of political activities, election campaigns, elections and post-elections activities in Sierra Leone.

A media situation room was designed by the Commission as a platform for information sharing amongst coalition members including Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the Independent Radio Network (IRN). Monitoring media coverage and reporting of 2023 elections in Sierra Leone to enhance collaboration, proactive advocacy and to provide rapid response to issues associated with the media during the 2023 multi-tier electioneering process was the key focus of the situation room. The media monitoring process was to complement traditional election observation process. A coordinating platform of field-based media monitors reported events around the media daily during electioneering periods; analyzed information from the field (media), provided early warnings of problems, and immediate recommendations to ensure credibility around media coverage in the electoral process. The most important characteristic of the IMC Situation Room was its ability to provide rapid professional media response to media election-related emergencies, and not just commenting on them after establishing the facts.

The Commission therefore activated its elections media monitoring mechanisms in May 2023, and establishment of a media situation room in June 2023; to observe activities of media practitioners and media houses, coverage and reporting of political activities, election campaigns, polling day and post-elections activities in Sierra Leone. This was achieved through the deployment of thirty-three (33) media monitors at districts level across the country, with five (5) Rapid Response Teams at Regional Level.

The Commission observed that a good number of media houses and practitioners covered and reported on the elections at all the faces of the electioneering process inline with the IMC’s Elections Coverage and Reporting Regulations 2022. The following were the key observations of activities monitored from the Media Situation Room and actions taken by the Commission through its rapid response systems:

1. Media Coverage and Reporting of Political Parties Activities:

During the pre-election preparation, Election Day and Post-election period of the June 24^th 2023, Multitier elections, the media landscape across the country recorded significant improvements in the coverage and reporting of political parties’ activities. Political parties’ activities in the pre-election era, were marked by professional coverage and dissemination of truthful information on the activities of political parties and candidates. Media Institutions and practitioners were very instrumental in creating the platform for political parties and candidates to publish/broadcast their statements, press releases and other forms of communication to their targeted audience. Members of the public also had an opportunity through both print and electronic media platforms to give their views on the electioneering process, peace and national cohesion within their respective communities. Media houses ensured that their activities were conducted within the principles of elections coverage and reporting guidelines. With the exception of Justice Radio’s broadcast, Owl Newspaper, Salone Compass Newspaper and Nightwatch Newspaper publications, that were mostly marred by provocative statements, personal attacks, inciting and insulting languages that have the tendency to provoke unrest; all other media institutions to a greater extent conformed to the IMC Elections Coverage and Reporting Regulations 2022.

2. Media Coverage and Reporting of Political Manifestoes:

Four political parties namely: The All Peoples Congress (APC), The Sierra Leone’s Peoples Party (SLPP), Republic and National Independent Party (ReNIP) and the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), came out conspicuously to launch their political parties’ manifestos. These manifestoes were extensively reported by various media institutions without bias or favour. The Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation, the national broadcaster was particularly extensively monitored to determine whether the incumbent has an unfair access to media coverage than oppositions parties. However, the Commission noted that to a large extent political parties had an unhindered access to the national broadcaster (SLBC) with their campaign messages. All parties including those who did not launch their campaign manifestoes were covered by media houses and discussions directed to the manifestoes instead of other unrelated matters.

3. Media Coverage and Reporting of Political Advertising:

During the elections process political advertising on both print and electronic media were to a large extent fair and equitable to political parties. Though there were few newspapers that allied with key political parties, yet a good number of radios and television stations provided equal opportunity to all political parties without discrimination, to access media services and buy advertising space in newspapers and electronic media. However, the Commission observed that political advertising in the media particularly in the rural areas was limited as a result of the Proportional Representation system. Candidates in the elections process relied heavily on their political parties’ popularity rather than selling their individual campaign manifestoes. The few political advertisings that made their ways to the media were therefore not offensive due to the fact that the media had been thoroughly sensitized on the handling of political advertising and related media promotions.

4. Coverage and Reporting of Election Campaign:

Before the period leading to the June 24^th 2023 elections, the media covered and reported on all political parties’ campaign across the country. However, the two main leading political parties in the country took center stage in both print and electronic media coverage and reporting; even though full media coverage was given to all political parties across the country. Notably the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC), the Africa Young Voices and the SLIK televisions were the leading television stations in the country that gave thorough coverage to the two main political parties’ campaign activities in the country. Star Television did very little coverage on political party’s campaign activities; while other television stations such as Redeemer and Mercy televisions were mainly concerned with their religious broadcast and peace message for social cohesion in the country. Classic television in Bo and Karima television in Kenema were mostly focused on hosting various political parties on their manifesto promises. Few candidates were hosted around the local councils.

Majority of rural community-based radio stations gave adequate coverage and reporting of the election campaign across the country. There was no reported case of a radio station refusal to allow access to political parties or candidate to the media before, during and after the June 24^th 2023 elections.

Newspapers coverage of political parties during the campaign period was enormous, though some of them displayed partisan nature in their publications. Newspaper headlines such “Finally…. Dr. Samura Kamara to be Elected as President Tomorrow”, “We Will Fix It” … Next President Assures Students of FBC, and “Polls President Bio 66.4%, Samura Kamara 33.2%, Mohamed Gento 53%, Aki Sawyer 44%”, were brought to the attention of the Commission through its situation room. Similarly, newspaper publications such as “APC OFFICE TURNED SLAUGHTER HOUSE….BY STATE SECURITY” was considered to be misleading.

However, to a large extent media coverage and reporting during the campaign period across the country was somehow satisfactory due to the popularization of the IMC Elections Coverage and Reporting Regulations 2022.

5. Media Coverage and Reporting of the Incumbent:

Media coverage and reporting of the incumbent during the electioneering period can be described in three different faces: before, during and after campaigns. During the period leading to the official declaration of campaigns the incumbent president embarked on a “thank you tour” throughout the country. Both print and electronic media coverage and reportage during this exercise was mostly focused on the president’s official activities and political canvassing. During the campaigning periods, the incumbent was not accorded any special privilege to access media coverage and reporting as against opposition parties and candidates. However, even though the media accorded opposition parties airtime in rural area community radios, opposition parties did not use the allocated media spaces for reasons that were not clear to the commission.

Moreover, the media recorded low income through advertising and sale of airtime for the electronic media. This was mostly because candidates relied on the popularity of their political parties rather than buying air time or advertising spaces for their political agenda on the media.

6. Coverage and Reporting on Nomination Day:

During periods of nomination of candidates in the June 24^th 2023 elections, media houses print and electronic and practitioners across the country played a pivotal role in covering and reporting the entire process. The media was professional in giving equal space and time to all political parties/candidates nominated on different dates irrespective of their political affiliations.

7. Coverage and reporting of Political Opinion Polls:

Throughout the June 2023 multitier elections period no media institution exclusively handled opinion poll in their coverage and reportage of the elections process. However, the Comment Newspaper of 7^th June 2023, attempted giving out an opinion poll in prediction of the elections results, on its front page titled, “Polls President Bio 66.4%, Samura Kamara 33.2%, Mohamed Gento 53%, Aki Sawyer 44%”. The Commission through its rapid response mechanism took the necessary steps to assert the validity of the poll, but it was however proven that the projection in the newspaper was a mere opinion piece rather than scientific.

8. Media Coverage and Reporting during period 24 hours to polling:

Media institutions across the country both print and electronic observed the guidelines on coverage and reporting 24 hours period leading to the opening of poll. Except for a handful of print and electronic media institutions, all other media houses were mainly focused on the publication of peace messages and voter education across the country. The Owl Newspaper however, published on its front on 23^rd June 2023, titled, “FINALLY … DR SAMURA KAMARA TO BE ELECTED AS PRESIDENT TOMORROW”. The situation room recorded the said publication for action. Similarly, during Live phone in programme on community and commercial radios in the rural areas, callers from different locations sent out campaigning messages through the air. However, the attentions of managements of those radio stations were drawn to said breaches and immediate steps were taken to retract followed by general warnings to callers to respect the rules that govern phone-in and live programmes.

9. Media Coverage and Reporting on Elections Day 24^th June, 2023:

On elections day media houses and practitioners were monitored throughout the country on their activities around polling centers, reporting of the voting process and general conduct during counting and announcement of provisional results from polling centers. Media coverage and reporting on polling day was assessed by the provisions of the IMC Elections Coverage and Reporting Regulations 2022.

The electronic media conducted itself very well to promote democracy, peace, by encouraging voters to go out and cast their votes and how they could conduct themselves after voting and counting of ballots. All community radios and a host of independent radio stations across the country were tuned to the Independent Radio Network (IRN), relaying programmes from its studios in Freetown. The programmes relayed included reports from regional, districts, chiefdoms and constituencies correspondents who gave firsthand information on events around polling centers and the voting process generally across the country. Other radio stations broadcast their independent programmes of the voting process in line with set standards of reporting on elections day.

The Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC), radio and television simulcast election special programme across their regional stations.  Various reporters/correspondents in the field sent in reports on the polling process. Also, the SLBC Regional stations from time to time linked up local programmes in their respective regions and districts. The African Young Voices (AYV) television and radio on polling day broadcast their “Sierra Leone Decides” programmes, which hosted elections management bodies, observer missions, civil society and the media. The AYV radio/television from time to time broadcast programmes update on the voting and tallying processes from the Electoral Commission. SLIK Television and Epic Radio did simulcast programmes from their studios around the voting process. Star Television on the other hand only covered the polling process at the early hours of the voting process. All the days programmes on Star Television were focused on entertainment. Classic Television in Bo and Karima Television in Kenema also carried programmes on the polling day. Karima TV from time to time linked up live programmes from Freetown to bring their viewers closer to the voting process in the capital city.

The Situation Room observed that there was no newspaper publication on polling day 24^th June 2023, given the fact that it was a weekend.

10. Media Coverage and Reporting on Post Elections:

At the initial period of post-elections, the media was largely focused on dissemination of provisional results from polling centers across the country. The Independent Radio Network (IRN) members and non-member radio stations simulcast provisional elections results from reporters deployed across polling stations in different parts of the country. Coupled with social media misgivings through online platforms, some newspapers anticipated the outcome of the polling process, suggesting victory for various candidates across the political divide (APC & SLPP). However, media houses/journalists to a large extent conducted themselves in a professional manner with the exception of Justice Radio FM98.5 which continued to flout the IMC Elections Regulations, even though sanctions were placed on their live phone-in programmes and a ban on the “Justice Breakfast Show”.

The SLBC and AYV Televisions and radios through simulcast provided coverage of all elections related press conferences from elections management bodies including Electoral Commission, Observer Missions, the media, civil society organizations and the Peace Commission.

11. Live Phone-in Programmes:

The Commission observed that to a large extent Live phone-in programmes were managed on different electronic media platforms in such a way that they were not used to incite violence or public disorder. However, there were potential threats with Live Phone-in programmes on three radio stations in the East end of Freetown. The three radio stations (Justice Radio FM 98.5, Tumac Radio FM 89.3 and Citizen Radio FM 103.7) were suspended from all live phone-in programmes since a number of warnings have been issued for proper management of said programmes. The fact that these institutions’ lacked delay equipment to screen in-coming calls before putting callers on air the Commission resolved of suspension of their live phone-in broadcast. Similarly, in some other parts of the country there were minor mistakes from live phone-in programmes but the producers/ presenters took the necessary steps to correct their mistakes inline with the provisions of media coverage and reporting guidelines.

12. Allocation of Airtime/Space to Political Parties and Candidate:

Media houses/journalists took necessary steps to provide adequate airtime to political parties and candidates across the political divide in all districts across the country.  Community radios particularly ensured proper allocation of airtime to political parties, especially the two leading political parties (SLPP & APC). It was observed that in all districts, community radios allocated equal and free airtime to political parties as part of their public service responsibilities; but because some political parties considered themselves as being in minority in certain districts they did not use the allocated time slots on the radios for reasons best known to them. In Bonthe and Koinadugu Districts the Commission encouraged opposition parties to use their allocated time slots on the community radios. It is however worthy to note that while the media was obliged to give free airtime/space to political parties and candidates as part of their public service responsibilities, they were also free to sell their prime airtimes/spaces to political parties or candidates on a fixed fee applicable to all political parties without discrimination.

Some newspapers allied themselves with political parties putting out stories and allocating more spaces to interest political parties; while majority of newspaper publications were balanced in their coverage and reporting of political parties’ activities.

13. Actions taken by the Commission through its Rapid Response:

The Commission through its elections monitoring activities—situation room and deployment of five rapid response teams, took the following actions in line with the IMC Act 2020, Elections Coverage and Reporting and Print and Electronic Media Regulations 2022:

Firstly, the Commission requested the Board of Bintumani Radio 107.3 FM in Kabala to set aside the then Acting Station Manager pending investigations into an allegation that the said Ag. Manager was an active politician.

Secondly, following reports from managements of community radio stations that political parties and candidates were not making use of airtimes allocated to them, the Commission encouraged political parties at districts level to make full use of their assigned airtime to promote their political agenda.

Following persistence reports from media monitors against three radio stations in the Eastern part of Freetown, the Commission resolved after several warnings to suspend live phone-in programmes on Justice, Tumac and Citizen radios until further notice.

Also, after several warnings and an opportunity given to Justice Radio FM 98.5 to comply with the Commission’s rulings, in line with the IMC Act 2020, the Commission after a public hearing in Freetown, suspended the broadcast of Justice Radio FM 98.5 until further notice.

Furthermore, the Commission conducted a public hearing in Kenema City on a matter between the Chief Administrator Kenema City Council and a journalist attached to Eastern Radio FM 101.9 in Kenema, who doubles as an Administrator of ‘‘CONTROVERSAL MINDS’’ WhatsApp group.

Lastly, in different parts of the country the Commission intervened in various radio programming to correct anomalies observed on both communities and commercial media houses. The proactiveness of the IMC in monitoring, training and popularization activities across the country to a largely contributed to a peaceful professional media coverage and reporting of the June 24^th 2023 multitier elections.

Signed

Khalil Kallon

Executive Secretary—IMC