Journalists have welcomed the training on the electoral processes, saying it equipped them to report the election with more understanding.
“The training was an eye opener on reporting the election for our readers to understand how the election process unfolds,” said Obakeng Maje, the editor and founder of The Guardian newspaper based in Taung.
The veteran writer was one of North West based journalists who attended the election training for journalists conducted by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF).
The training aimed to equip journalists with a comprehensive understanding of the legislative framework, electoral processes and regulatory environment.
The Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC, Sy Mamabolo, earlier this month said the electoral commission acknowledges and appreciates the vital role played by the media in electoral democracy and in the dissemination of credible information.
“The free flow of credible information about political parties, candidates, voting station operations and electoral regulations is a prerequisite for free and fair elections,” Mamabolo said, announcing the state of readiness on March 10.
“The electoral commission, working in partnership with the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and various community media stakeholders, has embarked on a month-long nationwide training programme for journalists ahead of the forthcoming elections,” Mamabolo said, when announcing the state of readiness to conduct the 202/27 local government election.
The current term of local government ends on November 1.
Thereafter the electoral commission would have to conduct the election within 90 days.
Maje said the training was helpful as it pointed out other focus areas to report on during the election period.
Mmatshepo Dikgole, the editor and founder of Bua Mogaetsho, community newspaper based in the Ditsobotla local municipality, said the topic on artificial intelligence (AI) helped her to use technology in her reporting.
“The training helps a lot on how to use AI as a tool of trade. I left the training with more ideas on AI and monitoring.”
Freelance journalist from online news publication, said the training served as a reminder for journalists to verify information before publishing it.For us online publishers, the training highlighted that it is better to publish a factually correct story rather than running with a story without verifying information.
“I think these trainings should be conducted regularly and not ahead of elections,” he said.
The training covered topics such as reporting accurately on elections, election data reporting tools as well as dealing with misinformation
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