Role of Media in Creating a Peaceful Electoral Process: A Case of Sierra Leone’s General Elections of 2018

Abstract

Recently the task of the media in conducting elections has been an issue of great concern globally. Its impact has increased immensely and investigators are obliged to agree on the degree and magnitude of the media influence in creating a peaceful election. The aim of this study was to evaluate the responsibility of media in creating a peaceful election, with reference to the 2018 pre and post-election violence in Sierra Leone. The specific objectives were to establish the media accessibility level and the various modes of media coverage; to establish the extent to which media advocated for peace or violence during the 2018 general elections in Sierra Leone. Extensive literatures were analyzed to explain media roles and to develop a foundation for the present research. A descriptive research design and random stratified sampling method with a sample size of 388 respondents was used. Primary data was obtained via questionnaires and in-depth interviews analyzed and presented in various forms. The study found out that media performed both conflict escalation and peaceful tasks during the 2018 general elections. Some of the negative media roles include encouraging hate speech, misrepresentation of information, and incitement. Some positive roles include conducting civic education, preaching peace, fair coverage of political rallies, and fair reporting of contentious matters during peace negotiations. The study recommends stringent measures for negative journalism while highlighting the merits of peace journalism.

Keywords: Media, media role, 2018 general elections, electoral process, Sierra Leone.

DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/81-01

Publication date:June 30^th 2019