Media Should Report Referendum Campaigns Fairly

11 November 2010 – (Khartoum) – The head of media campaigns at the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission Professor Ali Mohamed Shumo called on the media to report the referendum campaigns in an accurate, fair and balanced manner.

Shumo addressed the press on Tuesday during the official launch of the referendum media campaign in Khartoum.

[Ali Mohamed Shumo]: “The state in this case is to ensure it gives equal chances to discuss these issues in a just manner as provided by article five of the referendum law. It requires accurate, balance, and experience in dealing with these institutions and political parties. It requires understanding that they have the rights to have periodic time at the radio and television and show both views of the referendum, that of secession and the other of keeping the country as it is. Equal treatment should be given for balance.”

He said the media should be very cautious in their reporting during this period saying that the media is capable of ensuring the smooth conduct of the referendum.

[Ali Mohamed Shumo]: “There should be a meeting between the committee in charge to lay down policies or controls of this campaign and newspaper editors in chiefs, so that an agreement can be reached about terms of references to be relayed on by the committee. The committee will depend on the CPA, the Referendum Law and the constitution. Personally we think the first player is the media, because if the media is perfect, it can take the case with simplicity and ease to the ninth, the referendum voting day and to the acceptance of the result.”

The head of media campaigns at the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission Professor Ali Mohamed Shumo addressed the press in Khartoum on Tuesday.