After the relaxing of private media limitations in 2012, Myanmar has witnessed an exponential growth of the number of media outlets, notably privately owned printed media. The political opening is so recent, that most state officials are not yet used to deal with journalists. And some, like our quoted election officer, even fear engaging with them.
The truth is however that both election officers and journalists need each other as they take on their new roles in the nascent democratic society.
With that in mind, International IDEA has teamed up with Internews to support election sub commissions’ members and staff from five states in developing the necessary skills to communicate with the public through the media. In this new and expanded media environment, journalists need an increased access to electoral knowledge and the Union Election Commission need media to educate voters and build trust. In elections expected to be the most open in at least 25 years, media may be the opener.
The one-day interactive trainings are based on a curriculum that focuses primarily on key messaging and interview skills. After discussing the participants’ individual experiences with media and their expectations, the training elaborates on what media representatives expect from interviews.
With that in mind, sub-commission officials learn and use tools to develop strategic media messaging. Next, they practice their interview skills in a mock real-life interview with a local journalist. They finally prepare lists of key questions and answers to prepare themselves for future real life interviews.
So far, 71 election officials from Mawlemyein (Mon State), Taunggyi (Shan State) and Myitkyina (Kachin State) have taken part in IDEA’s strategic communication sessions. By the October 5, 50 additional members of sub-commissions and officers from Mandalay and Yangon will have had the opportunity to, hopefully, make their own conclusions on how to engage with media. Here are some of the comments we have received:
“No need to be afraid of media, or to avoid them. Just need to give them facts,” participant 1.
“Some questions asked by journalists are difficult to answer in reality. Now we are more confident,” participant 2.
“Never give interview when under influence of own emotions or turmoil,” participant 3.
