Media methodology

The methodology employed by the EU EOM to monitor media coverage of the elections is one designed by the Osservatorio di Pavia based in Italy as well as some techniques from the European Institute for the Media (EIM), which is based in Düsseldorf, Germany. Both institutions have monitored media coverage of over 60 elections in Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa and Asia.

How do we monitor? The media unit will assess the performance of a sample of national media outlets in Nepal. Media monitoring focuses on free and balanced access of the main political actors in Nepal.

Who do we monitor? We monitor the main political actors, including government, candidates, political parties, national institutions, civil society and other stakeholders.

What do we monitor? We monitor, news, talk shows, paid political advertising and other types of relevant political communication. The quantitative component of the monitoring analyses the content of a representative sample of media outlets. Radio, television and newspapers will all be included in the sample and are monitored on a daily basis. The qualitative analysis consists of two components: the evaluation and tone in the mass media. Any speech that does not comply with the code of conduct is recorded.

Electronic media

Radio and television will be monitored during peak time viewing hours and will include monitoring of all programming within this time framework. The programmes will be timed by the monitors in order to measure the access that each candidate and political party receive on each of the channels. Furthermore, quantifying the amount of coverage each candidate receives will be complemented with an assessment of the tone of the coverage received based on a scale of negative, neutral and positive. The monitoring will also assess balance and tone of news and current affairs programmes to assess the extent they provide adequate and balanced coverage of candidates.

Print media

Newspapers will be monitored daily to assess the coverage of candidates and parties standing for election. As is the case with broadcast media the tone, access and balance of coverage will be assessed during the media monitoring.