KARACHI: Growing media pluralism and country’s transition to democracy denied increased media space for information to help electorates make informed choices before elections including the local bodies elections 2010.

This was unanimously agreed upon by the journalists and civil society members who actively participated in a dialogue related to “Media’s Coverage of Local Elections and Electoral Reforms,” here on Wednesday. The program was organized by Inter-media in collaboration with Democracy Reporting International Participants representing both the electronic and print media extensively discussed the factors responsible for low coverage of election related issues as well as electoral re- forms in process of being introduced at provincial levels.

Diminishing role, often no say, of working and professional journalists in policy decisions in most of the news papers as well as radio and television was identified as the major factor placing public education issues low among the priorities of the media.

It was also pointed out that most of the media organization had their respective political affiliations therefore are in difficult position to adopt a non-partisan stance towards issues going against their or their sponsor’s interests.

Fear factor coupled with gratification was outlined as another important aspect preventing most of journalists not to go for investigative and in-depth stories about political parties, their manifestos, implementation of the promises and policies by their prior to polls.
Source: The Nation
Date:4/29/2010