NEBE
Media Accreditation Information and Guidelines on
Election Coverage
The
media has an important role in reporting to the public
on the conduct of elections.
All broadcast, print and internet journalists, both
local and international, are required to apply to
the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia’s Press
and Public Information Unit for official accreditation
which will permit them to access polling stations
and constituency electoral offices.
Journalists
must make visible their NEBE accreditation badges
while they are in polling stations or constituency
election offices. They are required to turn off mobile
phones or other communication devices inside these
premises.
Media representatives shall abide by the following
basic journalistic principles:
•
In the collection and dissemination of news on the
election process, they
shall strive for balance, accuracy and
impartiality.
• They shall report only on credible and well-sourced
facts.
• They shall not hide key information or falsify
documents.
• They shall use only fair methods to obtain
news, images and documents.
• They shall do the utmost to avoid facilitating
discrimination based on race,
sex, language, religion, political or
other beliefs, national or social origins.
Accredited media representatives may:
•
Be present in polling stations from opening to closing
time (6a.m. to 6p.m.) and observe the voting process,
provided this does not violate the confidentiality
of data and the secrecy of the vote or disrupt the
polling process in any way.
•
Visit as many polling stations as they wish and move
around inside polling stations, as long as this does
not disturb the flow of voters or the work of election
officials.
•
Interview voters, candidates’ representatives,
observers or election officials, if the individuals
consent and the activities of the stations permit
this. These interviews must be conducted outside the
polling stations.
•
Observe the materials prepared before election day,
follow vehicles carrying election materials to constituency
electoral offices and observe the intake of materials.
•
Observe the counting of ballots at polling stations
and the posting of results.
Accredited media representatives may not:
•
Interview voters, candidates’ representatives,
observers or election officials inside stations during
registration or polling.
•
Film, photograph or interview any voters or election
officials without their consent.
•
Film or photograph the recording of registration details
or voters marking their ballot papers; or acquire
any pictures, film footage or audio commentary from
behind the voting screens.
•
Film, photograph or copy the Electors’ Registers,
voters’ registration identity documents or any
other documents which would infringe on the privacy
of voters.
Media Interviews:
All
interviews must be conducted outside polling stations.
During interviews, polling station heads may respond
to general factual questions as set out below, but
may not offer interpretations or opinions.
Polling
station heads may respond to general, factual questions
on the following topics:
•
Registration, polling and counting procedures.
•
Voter registration and turnout at the polling station.
•
The activities of election officers and what training
they received.
•
Any problems encountered.
Polling station heads may not offer interpretations
or opinions, such as:
•
Commenting on voting trends or expected outcomes on
a local, regional or national basis.
•
Offering commentary on political entities, candidates
or the election.
•
Commenting on rumours.
For assistance with accreditation, contact the Press
and Public Information Unit staff.
Press
Officer: Getahun Amogne Tel: 251-9-643738
Assistant
Press Officer: Hiwot Alemayehu Tel: 251-9-48757
E-mail us: info@electionsethiopia.org
www.electionsethiopia.org
