Institute for Reporters` Freedom and Safety is launching its 2008 Presidential Election Media-Monitoring Project to systematically monitor the media coverage of the 15 October presidential election. The periodic results of the monitoring of seven television stations and four newspapers will be regularly released to the public. (17-AUG-08)
     
Placed on website by Shahla Ismayilova / HRH Azerbaijan on the basis of materials from IRFS
    
IRFS seeks to evaluate the mass media’s performance in providing objective and balanced coverage of the candidates and their platforms. The project’s findings will be determined through a well-defined and rigorous methodology, developed by MEMO 98, a Slovakian NGO that has worked in more than 30 countries over the past 10 years to monitor the media during some 50 elections and referenda.

Media monitoring will be carried out from August 15 through October 13 using qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. Quantitative analysis will measure the total amount of time and space devoted to elections-related coverage on seven TV channels and four national newspapers. The qualitative analysis will evaluate whether the information about candidates is positive, negative, or neutral in its content.

Over the course of two months, with the help of monitors and analysts, IRFS will hold regular press conferences and release the results of the monitoring of seven television stations and four newspapers to the general public, the media, political parties, governmental bodies, international organizations, embassies, non-governmental organizations, and others.