A Touchpad to Our Future: An Election Resource for Journalists

This document, published by the Open Society Foundation for South Africa in preparation for the 2009 national and provincial elections, is an empowerment and information guide for community or mainstream journalists from the print, broadcast, or online media. It was designed to build journalists' capacity to effectively prepare for, monitor, and report on the 2009 elections, while also educating voters on elections and democracy.

The guide covers the following content:

Section A: Introduction to the Constitution, government, and the law (including: the Bill of Rights; national, provincial, and local levels of government; and thelaw-making process).

Section B: Elections and election law, including democracy and election systems, the Electoral Act and Regulations, the role and structures of the Independent Electoral Commission, identity documents and voter registration, voters’ rights, the Electoral Code of Conduct, and voting and counting processes.

Section C: Media law and using the media for elections, including the development of new media laws, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and its structures, the ICASA Code of Conduct, other independent bodies recognised by ICASA, the ICASA Act and Regulations, the Electronic Communications Act, and other media codes and guidelines impacting on elections.

Section D: Practical guidelines for journalists, including core media ethics, ensuring fair coverage, preparing coverage, developing election programming, and interviewing skills and techniques.