Two-day workshop on Managing Election Coverage held
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—The special workshop for journalists on “Managing Election Coverage” started here today.
The two-day workshop is being organized by United States Embassy.
While the lecture was presented by a renowned educator Arnold R Isaacs who served as a reporter, foreign and Washington correspondent and as an Editor for the Baltimore Sun for more than 18 years reporting from more than 40 countries.
United States Embassy is already offering a series ofworkshops and lectures for journalists on election coverage in several cities in the country.
During the workshop Mr. Arnold highlighting the importance of news media role during and after an election said ,”A media person should portray the reality objectively whatever the situation is prevailing in the country”.
He also explained that during the election campaign, how journalist can monitor the process of voting and the vote count to help citizens know if the election wasfairly conducted and truely reflect voter’s decisions.
Before election process he suggested to make theprofile of candidates to create awareness among publicregarding their background.
Terming the most important element of electionprocess as “issues” he defined that,” An issue story should focus on solutions as well as problems.It should report on what is being done to solve a problem or
improve a situation, what is being proposed by candidatesand what solutions are offered by experts or peopleaffected by a particular problem”.
While about the role of news agencies he elaboratedthat every news agency should develop its own plan keeping in view the resources, capabilities and the need of its audience.
The workshop was based on different activitiesincluding dialogue and group discussions to explain the journalists about holding election coverage in diverse circumstances.