Television News in Times of Elections: A Case Study of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Electronic Media executes a crucial and major role in the elections. Through various studies, it has been ascertained that the degree to which the electronic media follows the guidance for accuracy, impartiality, and balance and the code of professional practice in covering the process of election, will directly affect the results of the outcomes of elections. The study has explored the degree to which the television stations of Sri Lanka abided by professional ethics in covering the elections and the behavior they exhibited during the period of elections. For this purpose, an analysis was done on the contents of news and current affairs programs of television stations during the local government election held in 2018. The study suggested that television stations disregard the code of professional ethics in covering the election by being partial to certain political parties and they include the news with the intention of promoting such political parties. It could also be ascertained that instead of reporting the factual truth, the television stations build up conclusive narratives according to a political agenda in covering the news and current affairs on the election. The study suggests there is a need for the application of the theory of news professionalism and the fairness doctrine during elections. Further, it highlights the need for laws and regulations and an independent electronic media authority that oversees the application of the fairness doctrine and media professionalism during elections and by extension, the strengthening of democracy in Sri Lanka.