Georgetown: The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will be launching its Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) on Wednesday at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street with the signing of the Media Code of Conduct by media owners and editors on the same day.
The Media Code of Conduct for this year’s election will be ratified and formally signed off by representatives from all media house representatives who will be participating in two workshops organised by GECOM commencing today. These workshops, which will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, will set aside for views and suggestions that can be inputted into the drafting of a Media Code of Conduct for the forthcoming General and Regional Election which is slated for May 11.
Media consultant Dr. Palomar Mohamed will assist with the organizing and facilitating of the workshops. The first day will allow for discussions among media owners, managers and editors concerning the revision of the Code, while on the second day, the draft document will be subjected to any further revisions deemed necessary by participants.
Thereafter, the final document be approved and marked with the signatures from the media house representatives.
GECOM in a statement said it recognizes that the Media Code of Conduct is a vital act that is precedent to the MMU’s operations. The Media Code of Conduct is to be used as the guide for journalists’ reporting of elections-related issues during the crucial pre-electoral and post-electoral periods.
The MMU’s functions include monitoring the media and reporting on breaches of the principles enshrined in the Media Code of Conduct and norms associated with international best practices in journalism, and encourages equity, balance and fairness in news reporting. It also promotes the raising of professional standards in the media.
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