Guidelines on media coverage of elections SADC region Preamble W • Recognizing the importance of democratic elections at all levels; Acknowledging the continuing challenges of limited access to information during the electoral cycle, amidst election conflict and violence, throughout elections conducted in adverse environments of intolerance, especially of dominant ruling party states, and state repression; Noting the important role of free media in promoting democracy, including the conduct of free and fair elections; Aware of the continuing deficit of freedom of expression and media freedom in parts of Southern Africa; With due emphasis on the fundamental principle of editorial independence and importance of the media during election periods; Mindful of the need for gender-sensitive and equitable reporting and programming of all information during the electoral cycle; Firmly guided by the protocols, charters, conventions and guidelines endorsed, signed and/ or ratified by our governments in the region in their desire to ensure the success of democratic processes and in particular: • The African Charter on Human and Peoples‘ Rights (1981), • The Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press (1991), • The African Charter on Broadcasting (2001) • The Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, adopted by formalresolution by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (2002), • The SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2004) • The Southern African Broadcasting Association: Guidelines and Principles for Broadcast Coverage of Election in the SADC Re- Appreciating the diversity of the electorate, especially the different information needs of marginalised communities and differently-abled persons; e, the participants - journalists, broadcasters, media practitioners, media organisations, media councils and representatives of electoral management bodies throughout the SADC region gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa on 26 September, 2012 for the MISA Conference on Media and Elections. gion (2005) The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007), Firmly believing that the coverage of elections by the media should be fair, accurate and balanced; Recognising the need to take account of the significant differences which exist between the private, public and community media in the region as well as the differences between print, electronic and new media; Taking into consideration that public service broadcasters have a particular mandate in ensuring fair and thorough coverage of elections through equitable distribution of airtime to political parties and candidates. So This is Democracy? 2014 119