Programs and Events 2009
Workshops Prepare Journalists and Political Parties for Elections
“The Role of the Media in Elections” was the subject of a week of workshops organized by the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Conakry from May 10-15. Ronald Wimer, American journalist and media consultant, worked with Guinean journalists, political parties and students to develop their skills in preparation for the upcoming elections in Guinea.
Throughout the week’s events, Mr. Wimer explained to a diverse group of print, television and radio journalists that the role of a journalist in the electoral process to expose the problems facing society and to ask the candidates to explain how they would solve them. He emphasized that journalists have a crucial role in informing the public about the parties’ programs and also in analyzing their platforms to help voters make educated decisions regarding which candidate would be the most effective leader once elected.
In a dynamic session with press officers from 25 political parties on improving communications with the media, Mr. Wimer stressed that parties must develop clear and simple messages that explain their position to voters. By clearly defining what their party stands for, the communications officers will enable voters to distinguish between parties and to choose the party that most aligns with their own positions. He noted that currently, voters have a difficult time making issues-based distinctions between the nearly 70 political parties in Guinea and parties must learn to provide specific and succinct information to the press in order to help the voters do so.
Journalism and communication students from the Institute Superieur de l’Information et Communication also had the opportunity to participate in workshops that helped them prepare for their future roles as journalists and press officers. Throughout the sessions at the university, students had the unique opportunity to ask questions regarding the media and elections to an experienced American journalist.
Wimer also reached out to the Guinean public to discuss the important role of the media in elections through radio interviews on two of Guinea’s most popular stations. During the interviews, he emphasized the need for journalists to maintain their independence and credibility. He also reiterated the importance of asking questions of the candidates to force them to define their priorities and to propose concrete solutions to the problems facing the Guinean people, and assisting to ensure that elections are carried out in a free and fair manner by providing rigorous reporting of election proceedings.
Throughout the week, participants expressed their appreciation and satisfaction with the program. They thanked the Embassy for providing this much needed training and committed to apply the strategies the learned to their work during the electoral process.