Media introduction

EU Election Observation Missions conduct media monitoring by using international methodological standards of quantitative and qualitative analysis used by the Osservatorio di Pavia in Italy and the European Institute for Media.

Media monitoring focuses on coverage of the media during the electoral campaign and includes the right of access, allocation of coverage and balance in both electronic and print media. The tone of the media outlets is also observed.

In Nepal, the monitoring unit is made up of a team of six national monitors managed by the media expert. They will observe a cross section of electronic and print media to asses the media coverage of the elections, looking in particular at:

• the access granted to political parties, alliances, candidates and minority groups in the mass media;
• whether the coverage of candidates is fair and balanced;
• whether candidates standing for election are covered in an unbiased and equitable manner;
• the tone of media coverage towards the candidates.

The electronic media sample is chosen according to national coverage, and is taken from both private and public radio and television stations. For print media, the sample is set up according to the mass circulation papers and reflects the views of both opposition and government. The media unit monitors peak time viewing and listening on radio and television throughout the period of the election.

As well as measuring the time and space allocated to political actors, parties and candidates, the media unit will also measure the tone of media coverage according to a three level scale (positive, negative and neutral) in order to assess the overall tone of the media outlets towards contestants and different political parties.

The media monitors are trained in quantitative and qualitative analysis. They observe the sample of print and electronic media and report on a daily basis to the media expert on their findings. After analysing the findings, the media expert will produce reports on the performance of the media as part of the overall evaluation of the election process.