NORTH SOUTH NORTH SOUTH SOUTH COURSE ON SOUTH COURSE ON

POLITICAL POLITICAL COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION

15-22ND JUNE 201015-22ND JUNE 2010COVERING ELECTIONSCOVERING ELECTIONS

LIC.ERNEST K. MRUTULIC.ERNEST K. MRUTU

COVERING ELECTIONSCOVERING ELECTIONS

Political reporting, in its many Political reporting, in its many forms, often has been compared to forms, often has been compared to sports writing, and with justifiable sports writing, and with justifiable reason.reason.

Whenever victory is won, the Whenever victory is won, the winning campaign manager or winning campaign manager or coach is regarded as a genius while coach is regarded as a genius while the losing coach or manager is the losing coach or manager is regarded as incompetent. Okigbo, C. regarded as incompetent. Okigbo, C. (1994:119)(1994:119)

•News of politics and News of politics and government is of interest government is of interest both to a general as well both to a general as well

as to a specialized as to a specialized readership of readership of

newspapers, and to a newspapers, and to a listener ship and viewer listener ship and viewer

ship of radio and ship of radio and television. television.

•The story of politics and The story of politics and government especially in government especially in the developing countries the developing countries

of Africa presents the of Africa presents the news media with one of news media with one of

their greatest their greatest challenges. challenges.

•The process of such The process of such determination, them is determination, them is the essential process. the essential process. The political reporter The political reporter

must be familiar with the must be familiar with the key events and key events and

institutions of the institutions of the political process-the political process-the

party caucus, party caucus,

the conventions the the conventions the primaries where applicable, primaries where applicable, campaigns and elections, campaigns and elections, and also the electorate on and also the electorate on whom the entire process is whom the entire process is based by the mass media based by the mass media

depends upon the ability of depends upon the ability of the political reporter to the political reporter to

comprehend, articulate and comprehend, articulate and interpret all of these interpret all of these

components. components.

The functions and The functions and responsibilities of responsibilities of

the political the political reporterreporter

It is the responsibility of the It is the responsibility of the political reporter to help the political reporter to help the public, especially the voter, public, especially the voter,

look closely, indeed, look closely, indeed,

to catch a glimpse of to catch a glimpse of political reality. A curious political reality. A curious investigator would like to investigator would like to

know what this know what this responsibility is, and the responsibility is, and the

functions that the political functions that the political writer must fulfill if the writer must fulfill if the

public’s or voter’s picture public’s or voter’s picture of reality is not to become of reality is not to become

hopelessly skewed, hopelessly skewed,

blurred, or incomplete. blurred, or incomplete. Okigbo, C. (1994:121) Okigbo, C. (1994:121)

points out that, George S points out that, George S Hage and others have Hage and others have

identified the function of identified the function of the political writer as: the political writer as:

1.1. Reporting and interpreting Reporting and interpreting eventsevents

2.2. Defining issuesDefining issues

3.3. Portraying personalitiesPortraying personalities

4.4. Investigation supportInvestigation support

5.5. Identifying trends, andIdentifying trends, and

6.6. Checking and analyzing public Checking and analyzing public opinion.opinion.

Handling political Handling political reporterreporter

•A well trained and articulate A well trained and articulate political reporter is expected political reporter is expected

essentially to have a firm essentially to have a firm background in the political background in the political

process of his country as well as process of his country as well as good deal of preparation and good deal of preparation and

priming. priming.

The political writer should recognize the The political writer should recognize the pragmatism of party organization at all pragmatism of party organization at all levels by their purpose, which include levels by their purpose, which include recruiting, fund raising, and patronage.recruiting, fund raising, and patronage.

It is also the responsibility of the It is also the responsibility of the political reporter to recognize the political reporter to recognize the influence of such non-party organization influence of such non-party organization as lab our unions, chambers of as lab our unions, chambers of commerce, student groups and other commerce, student groups and other pressure groups.pressure groups.

Covering political Covering political campaigns campaigns

An authority on reporting, An authority on reporting, according to (ibid: 131), Cannon according to (ibid: 131), Cannon Lou, has suggested that the Lou, has suggested that the following should form the following should form the framework of the reporters duties.framework of the reporters duties.

He should describe the He should describe the differences among or between the differences among or between the candidates irrespective of their candidates irrespective of their actual utterances.actual utterances.

He should project the candidates He should project the candidates by giving the ample press by giving the ample press coverage both by the frequency coverage both by the frequency and depth of the reporters.and depth of the reporters.

The political campaign reporter The political campaign reporter should, above all go beyond should, above all go beyond campaign rhetoric. The readers, campaign rhetoric. The readers, listeners and viewers need to listeners and viewers need to know, and should be told, the real know, and should be told, the real meaning of the candidate’ meaning of the candidate’ utterance and actions.utterance and actions.

The campaign reporter should The campaign reporter should do some interpretative writing do some interpretative writing which is based on critical which is based on critical research and thorough analysis research and thorough analysis of issues and trends because of issues and trends because these predictions are helpful to these predictions are helpful to the electorate and to the the electorate and to the politicians themselves.politicians themselves.

The specialized political The specialized political campaign reporter should write campaign reporter should write about the whole is important in about the whole is important in determining the options in a determining the options in a situation of non-issue-oriented situation of non-issue-oriented campaign.campaign.

The Guardian on Sunday, June 2010Free, democratic

elections needed in October, declares

Kikwete.By Polycarp Machira and Felister Peter,

Dodoma.

President Jakaya Kikwete has President Jakaya Kikwete has urged Regional and District urged Regional and District Commissioners to make sure that Commissioners to make sure that the forthcoming general the forthcoming general elections in October are a elections in October are a success otherwise the entire success otherwise the entire government would share the government would share the blame.blame.

Kikwete reminded the regional Kikwete reminded the regional administrators that the administrators that the government had implemented all government had implemented all the promises CCM made in its the promises CCM made in its 2005 election manifesto that 2005 election manifesto that sought the improvement of sought the improvement of health sector expansion and health sector expansion and improvement of education.improvement of education.

COVERING ELECTIONSCOVERING ELECTIONS

Stockpile photographsStockpile photographs Run criminal background checks on Run criminal background checks on

all candidatesall candidates ““Fact-check” boxesFact-check” boxes Q&As Q&As Voter panels to shape coverageVoter panels to shape coverage ““Campaign Capsules”Campaign Capsules” Campaign CalendarCampaign Calendar Grids and bio boxesGrids and bio boxes

Invite a reporter to the Invite a reporter to the editorial board editorial board appearances.appearances.

Use the editorial board as a Use the editorial board as a candidates’ forum, instead of candidates’ forum, instead of interviewing each candidate interviewing each candidate separately. Works great to see and separately. Works great to see and hear them side-by-side.hear them side-by-side.

Format news conference coverageFormat news conference coverage as as grid or capsules; run a weekly grid or capsules; run a weekly roundup of the two or three headline roundup of the two or three headline from each one. Skip the –blah-blah-from each one. Skip the –blah-blah-blah actual coverage.blah actual coverage.

Put campaign letters to the editor onlinePut campaign letters to the editor online instead of in print-run a sampling in instead of in print-run a sampling in print and push reader to Web site. print and push reader to Web site.

Identify the critical issuesIdentify the critical issues (one editor (one editor calls it the Five Forces) and use them to calls it the Five Forces) and use them to guide all coverage and shape all guide all coverage and shape all questioning.questioning.

Interactive map onlineInteractive map online that shows users that shows users where to vote, who’s running and where. where to vote, who’s running and where.

Convergence projectsConvergence projects with other with other newspapers/magazines, online and newspapers/magazines, online and broadcast-forums, interviews, broadcast-forums, interviews, commentary, reporting, analysis, commentary, reporting, analysis, columns, enterprises, photographiccolumns, enterprises, photographic

Endorsements by the editorial boardEndorsements by the editorial board. . Also consider a forum in online editorial Also consider a forum in online editorial for endorsements by users/readers and for endorsements by users/readers and others of particular candidates.others of particular candidates.

Ask the offbeat questionAsk the offbeat question: : “For whom “For whom would you vote outside your own would you vote outside your own party and why?”party and why?”

““Daily DebateDaily Debate” ” brief position brief position statements from primary contenders statements from primary contenders each day on a single issue.each day on a single issue.

Chart the results and ditch most Chart the results and ditch most “day after” stories“day after” stories. . Do strong Do strong narratives/enterprise stories only on narratives/enterprise stories only on the high profile races.the high profile races.

Mandate story lengths and stick Mandate story lengths and stick themthem. . Pre-write election nights Pre-write election nights stories and edit them a plan visuals- stories and edit them a plan visuals- leaving only the tops for results and leaving only the tops for results and color. Do some with page layouts color. Do some with page layouts

Put one person in charge on Put one person in charge on election night.election night.

Other guides for journalists Other guides for journalists in covering elections as in covering elections as

given by Colin James 2005 given by Colin James 2005 are;are;

The phone war/candidate The phone war/candidate selections/Midterm selections/Midterm

Maneuvering/ the campaign proper/ OfficialManeuvering/ the campaign proper/ Official Campaign openings/ Policy coverage/ The Campaign openings/ Policy coverage/ The

party party Manifesto/ The race (electorates/ party vote/Manifesto/ The race (electorates/ party vote/ The local campaign/ the leaders’ The local campaign/ the leaders’

campaigns /campaigns / Turnout/ By-elections/ Referendums/factors Turnout/ By-elections/ Referendums/factors

in in the news/ the news/

PollsPollsSorts of polls/ a checklist Sorts of polls/ a checklist

for polls’ validity/ for polls’ validity/ Predictions.Predictions.

Election night and beyondElection night and beyond

The election night count/The The election night count/The official count/ How seats are official count/ How seats are allocated/ Disputed elections and allocated/ Disputed elections and recounts/ Court challenges.recounts/ Court challenges.

Elections and Grassroots Elections and Grassroots Democracy in Tanzania Democracy in Tanzania

According to Chaligha Amon E. According to Chaligha Amon E. (2008:1) points out that, multiparty (2008:1) points out that, multiparty elections at all levels of elections at all levels of government are a basic condition government are a basic condition for the promotion of democracy in for the promotion of democracy in any county. In a democracy, the any county. In a democracy, the mandate to govern has to be mandate to govern has to be secured through regular secured through regular comparative free and fair elections.comparative free and fair elections.

Democracy in everyday Democracy in everyday concepts in political system concepts in political system

is the foundation of is the foundation of political communication political communication

According to Colin James (2005) of According to Colin James (2005) of New Zealand says that, as a society New Zealand says that, as a society we need to make decisions about we need to make decisions about things that affected us all.things that affected us all.

Among the Foundations of Among the Foundations of democratic society are the concepts democratic society are the concepts of Democratic rule, legitimate of Democratic rule, legitimate government, and Universal civil and government, and Universal civil and political rights as applied as civil political rights as applied as civil and political rights inand political rights in

Popular control & political Popular control & political equalityequality

Individual voters are the core Individual voters are the core representative democracy representative democracy because, together, they choose because, together, they choose those who will make decision for those who will make decision for all. all.

Free and fair electionsFree and fair elections

Why should I accept the result of Why should I accept the result of an election when my preferred an election when my preferred party does not win? When an party does not win? When an election result is accepted, the election result is accepted, the parliament and government parliament and government formed from it have legitimacyformed from it have legitimacy. .

Political choicePolitical choice

Individuals hold range of views Individuals hold range of views on most issues, including those on most issues, including those relating to the role of the state relating to the role of the state and laws about individual and laws about individual behaviorbehavior. .

Representative Representative democracydemocracy

We elect representative who We elect representative who deliberate in assemblies and deliberate in assemblies and then make decision on our then make decision on our behalf. Representation seems an behalf. Representation seems an easy concept- we elect easy concept- we elect representatives to act in our representatives to act in our place with effective popular place with effective popular control at elections. control at elections.

The 2000 General elections The 2000 General elections as covered by Tanzanian as covered by Tanzanian

MediaMedia ““Most members have spoken openly, Most members have spoken openly,

newspapers also investigated, newspapers also investigated, reported, carried editorial comments reported, carried editorial comments and gave picture of corruption by and gave picture of corruption by some members who won”, President some members who won”, President Mkapa, Dodoma, Majira12th August Mkapa, Dodoma, Majira12th August 2000.2000. Mrutu, E. (2003:89-96)Mrutu, E. (2003:89-96)

““Mkapa admits that preferential polls Mkapa admits that preferential polls were marred by corruption” (Mkapa akiri were marred by corruption” (Mkapa akiri kura za maoni zilitawala na rushwa) kura za maoni zilitawala na rushwa) Taifa letu Tanzania, August 13-19,2000)Taifa letu Tanzania, August 13-19,2000)

““CCM is not for rich people” (CCM si ya CCM is not for rich people” (CCM si ya matajiri) {Majira , August 13,2000} matajiri) {Majira , August 13,2000}

““President Mkapa urged the people of President Mkapa urged the people of Tanzania not to vote for members of Tanzania not to vote for members of parliament with scandals of corruption, parliament with scandals of corruption, so that he can choose a clean cabinet if so that he can choose a clean cabinet if vote to power {Mwananchi, August 6, vote to power {Mwananchi, August 6, 2000}2000}

The State owned electronic and print The State owned electronic and print media ignored stories of widespread media ignored stories of widespread graft during July 200 polls. Radio graft during July 200 polls. Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam (RTD), a Tanzania Dar es Salaam (RTD), a government institution, failed to show government institution, failed to show leadership by reporting very little of leadership by reporting very little of the alleged corrupt practices.the alleged corrupt practices.

Equally disturbing are reports that Equally disturbing are reports that many voters are demanding many voters are demanding ‘something’ from the candidates. If ‘something’ from the candidates. If the aspirant does not oblige, he or she the aspirant does not oblige, he or she is dismissed as unfit for the post of is dismissed as unfit for the post of MP!” The Guardian, Saturday July MP!” The Guardian, Saturday July 22,2000.22,2000.

Alasiri newspaper also reported Alasiri newspaper also reported distribution of food, drinks and distribution of food, drinks and money to voters by some of the CCM money to voters by some of the CCM candidates. (August 2, 2000).candidates. (August 2, 2000).

President Mkapa, reacting to media President Mkapa, reacting to media reports on corruption, cautioned reports on corruption, cautioned CCM members to beware of those CCM members to beware of those using money to assume leadership. using money to assume leadership. The Guardian headline read, “Beware The Guardian headline read, “Beware of rich bent on owning CCM-Mkapa” of rich bent on owning CCM-Mkapa” {August 3, 2000}.{August 3, 2000}.

The Guardian carried an editorial The Guardian carried an editorial asking voters not to be bought by asking voters not to be bought by people who want to hijack people who want to hijack leadership using money [August 4, leadership using money [August 4, 2000].2000].

Many newspaper including Tanzania Many newspaper including Tanzania Leo, Taifa Letu Tanzania and Uwazi Leo, Taifa Letu Tanzania and Uwazi carried comments calling for an end carried comments calling for an end of corruption in the electionsof corruption in the elections. .

Call of affair coverage by Call of affair coverage by State Media.State Media.

Public media and CCM owned Public media and CCM owned media were blamed for bias media were blamed for bias reporting during the October, reporting during the October, 2000 general Election 2000 general Election campaigns.campaigns.

Media and the Union Media and the Union PresidencyPresidency

On the union Presidency, The On the union Presidency, The Guardian carried a headline: Guardian carried a headline: “Four parties given the nod, “Four parties given the nod, NCCR –Mageuzi, TPP thrown out NCCR –Mageuzi, TPP thrown out of race [Guardian, august 19, of race [Guardian, august 19, 2000].2000]. The storyThe story said: “Just as it said: “Just as it was in 1995, this year’s Union was in 1995, this year’s Union presidential race has been left to presidential race has been left to four contestants: four contestants:

Results of President Results of President Election Election (party) (party) Votes Votes

20002000PercentPercentagag

Votes Votes 1995 1995

PercentPercentagag

CCMCCM 5,863,25,863,201 01

71.7 71.7 4,026,44,026,422 22

61.8 61.8

CUFCUF 1,329,01,329,077 77

16.3 16.3 418,973 418,973

6.4 6.4

NCCRNCCR -- -- 1,808,61,808,616 16

27.8 27.8

TLP-TLP- 637,115 637,115

7.8 7.8 -- --

UDPUDP 342,891 342,891 4.2 4.2 258,734 258,734 8 8

TOTAL TOTAL 8,517,58,517,598 98

84.43 84.43

REGISTREGISTERED ERED

10,088,10,088,484 484

INVALIINVALID D VOTES VOTES

345,314 345,314

4.05 4.05

In the 1995 General Election, Mkapa In the 1995 General Election, Mkapa scooped 4,026,422 or 61.8 percent of the scooped 4,026,422 or 61.8 percent of the total votes. Mrema who was then the total votes. Mrema who was then the NCCR-Mageuzi candidate got 1,808,616 NCCR-Mageuzi candidate got 1,808,616 or 27.8 percent of all votes while Lipumba or 27.8 percent of all votes while Lipumba got 418,973 or 6 percent of the votes. got 418,973 or 6 percent of the votes. John Cheyo of UDP was last with 258,734 John Cheyo of UDP was last with 258,734 or 8 percent. Mkapa won the Presidency or 8 percent. Mkapa won the Presidency by 61 percent followed by Mrema (27.8 by 61 percent followed by Mrema (27.8 percent), Prof. Lipumba and Cheyo.percent), Prof. Lipumba and Cheyo.

The need to report the news accurately, The need to report the news accurately, objectively, and truthfully no matter what objectively, and truthfully no matter what the subject, has been the basic philosophy the subject, has been the basic philosophy and ethic for the media and society. and ethic for the media and society. Tanzania’s electronic and print media: Tanzania’s electronic and print media: Radio Tumaini, Radio Free Africa, Uhuru Radio Tumaini, Radio Free Africa, Uhuru Radio, One, Independent Television (ITV), Radio, One, Independent Television (ITV), Dar es Salaam Television (DTV), Coastal Dar es Salaam Television (DTV), Coastal Television Network (CTN), Majira, Television Network (CTN), Majira, Mtanzania, the Guardian, Nipashe, Taifa Mtanzania, the Guardian, Nipashe, Taifa Letu Tanzania, Tanzania Leo, Sunday Letu Tanzania, Tanzania Leo, Sunday Observer, Uwazi, Mwananchi and Rai Observer, Uwazi, Mwananchi and Rai played a relatively laudable role in the played a relatively laudable role in the months of July and August 2000 during the months of July and August 2000 during the CCM preferential polls.CCM preferential polls.

TANZANIA PRESIDENTIAL TANZANIA PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTIONS GENERAL ELECTIONS

RESULTS AS ANNOUNCED RESULTS AS ANNOUNCED BY ELECTORAL BY ELECTORAL

COMMISSION IN COMMISSION IN NOVEMBER 2005NOVEMBER 2005 CANDIDATESCANDIDATES POLITICAL PARTY POLITICAL PARTY VOTES %VOTES %

JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE Chama Cha Mapinduzi 9,102,952 JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE Chama Cha Mapinduzi 9,102,952 80.2480.24

PROF. IBRAHIM HARUNA PROF. IBRAHIM HARUNA LIPUMBALIPUMBA Chama Cha Wananc 1,327, 125 Chama Cha Wananc 1,327, 125 11.7 11.7 FREEMAN AIKAEL FREEMAN AIKAEL MBOWE Chama Cha Demokrasia na 668,736MBOWE Chama Cha Demokrasia na 668,736

5.895.89AUGUSTINO MREMA Tanzania Labour Party 84,901 AUGUSTINO MREMA Tanzania Labour Party 84,901

0.750.75 DR. SENGONDO-MVUNGI NCCR DR. SENGONDO-MVUNGI NCCR 55,819 0.49 55,819 0.49 REV. CRISTOPHER MTIKILAREV. CRISTOPHER MTIKILA Democratic Party Democratic Party 31,083 0.2731,083 0.27 EMANUEL- MAKAIDI EMANUEL- MAKAIDI National League forDemocracy 21,574 National League forDemocracy 21,574

0.190.19 ANNA CLAUDIA SENKORO Progressive Party Of Tanzania 18,783ANNA CLAUDIA SENKORO Progressive Party Of Tanzania 18,783

0.17 0.17 PROF. LEONARD KANAGWEPROF. LEONARD KANAGWE SHAYOSHAYO Demokrasia Makini Demokrasia Makini 17,070 0.1517,070 0.15 PAUL HENRY KYARAPAUL HENRY KYARA Suti ya Umma Suti ya Umma 16,414 0.1416,414 0.14

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