"We have identiefied the most important media outlets to be monitored in terms of distribution, audience, ownership and impact here in Liberia, mainly in the capital Monrovia", says Claudia Aranda the Media Analyst of this Election Observation Mission. "Now I will establish the methodological framework for monitoring the most important media outlets and set up a media monitoring unit, including both staff recruitment and training, technical set up and management"

Monitoring

The Media Analyst and the team of Media Monitors in the Heqdquarter of the Mission in Monrovia coordinate media monitoring conducted by LTOs in their areas of responsibility. Apart from observing election related publications also the media coverage of the EU EOM is monitored. The team will assess whether the media, both public and private, provide balanced coverage of the election campaign in accordance with the existing legislation, using both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Furthermore, the tone of the media coverage of the campaign including recording any statements that “go beyond acceptable limits”, the quantity and range of official voter information items distributed in the media, the coverage of women and minorities issues in the media, the access of women and minorities to the media and other human rights issues coverage will be monitored and assessed.

Another part of this intensive work is the evaluation of the freedom of speech in the media and their ability for pluralistic political expression;, the media related legal framework and codes of conduct, assessing and collecting any complaints directed by political parties against the media and the legal mechanisms to handle media related complaints including the performance of media regulatory bodies during the elections.

Initial Findings

The EU EOM undertakes its work in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. It will publish its initial findings in a preliminary statement, which will be presented in a press conference shortly after election day. A Final Report with recommendations to the public at a later stage. 

The European Union (EU) was invited to deploy an observation mission by the Government of the Republic of Liberia and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia 28 August 2017. The EU EOM is independent from any EU institutions or Member States or government institutions and is committed to remain neutral and abide by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct, as well as the laws of Republic of Liberia.