Fairness, Balance and Impartiality in the Coverage of Elections

This was the title of the roundtable, organized on 13 and 14 February by the Council of Europe Media Division, together with Internews and with participation of Yerevan Press Club. Participating in the roundtable were representatives of TV and radio companies, printed press, information agencies, online media, local and international organizations acting in Armenia.

The participants analyzed and discussed the reality on (based on the experience in the past elections) and their expectations of media coverage for 2007 Parliamentary Elections in Armenia. The roundtable sessions then focused on comparative overview of the coverage in CoE member states: foreign experts presented professional and ethical standards for the media in election coverage with respect to ensuring professionalism of media. In this context, the panelists – local and foreign media experts – discussed relevant standards for Armenia and ways for their promotion, with a special emphasis on political advertising, journalists’ safety, and the relations between journalists and public authorities. Upon the end of the roundtable the participants identified further actions and cooperation to promote fairness in the coverage of elections.