The National Broadcasters Association (NAB) and the Electoral Commission (EC) have discussed ways in which the media can support the revised EC Roadmap for the 2020/21 General Elections.
NAB Chairman Kin Kariisa and the executive yesterday met with EC Chairman Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama and the Commissioners at the EC headquarters in Kampala to see how the two entities can work together.
Kin reiterated NAB’s commitment to working with the EC to ensure voter sensitisation and education while observing Covid19 safety guidelines.
NAB committed to: Use the mass media to carry out massive voter education across the country using the electronic, digital and other platforms to ensure that there is an informed, educated electorate ahead of the elections, Deliver credible and accurate information from Electoral Commission to the electorate hence fighting the effects of fake news that is now rampant, Work with the Electoral Commission to publicise and popularize the digital tools such as the electronic voter register, the polling station locator among others, through their various platforms to facilitate a simpler way to engage and empower the voters, as well as working with its members to ensure people with disabilities have access to election coverage by delivering content in a manner that favours them.
In order to effectively achieve these objectives; both parties agreed that the following need to be put in place;
- Training the media practitioners to ensure fair, balanced and accurate coverage of the electoral processes.
- A meeting with editors to discuss and agree on how to fight fake news and handle election coverages fairly and professionally
- EC and NAB to draw a media plan that will afford EC effective use of our platforms to mobilise, sensitize and empower the voters and general public
- Develop guidelines to ensure equitable access for all contestants.
