Media monitoring methodology

The monitoring methodology used is both quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative component analyses the amount of coverage given to individual political actors in a representative sample of media outlets. This is done on a daily basis, by calculating seconds of air-time in the broadcast media, and square centimetres of print space in the print media.

Broadcast media

Both state and independent radio and television channels are recorded and monitored during peak-time viewing hours. An assessment is made of all types of programming which refer to relevant political actors, including news and current affairs programmes, debates, entertainments shows, and so on. Monitors calculate the precise amount of airtime afforded each candidate and political party on each channel. Monitors also assess the tone of the coverage, based on classificiations of negative, neutral and positive. In this way, the Monitoring Unit is able to see whether the media are providing balanced coverage of all the candidates.

Print media

Newspapers are also monitored daily to assess the coverage of candidates and parties standing for election, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Monitoring in the 2009 Elections

For the 2009 Afghan elections, the EU EOM Monitoring Unit is focusing on 4 TV channels, 4 radio stations and 4 newspapers. The TV stations include state-owned RTA, and independent stations Tolo TV, Shamshad TV and Ariana TV. The radio stations are state-owned Radio Afghanistan, and independent stations, Radio Killid, Radio Salaam Watander and Radio Arman. Of the print media, the focus will be on newspapers such as Anis, Hewad, Arman-e-Milli, and Cheragh. The Unit will also survey the entire media landscape for general trends in reporting.

The media team will also analyse the media environment as a whole, to see whether journalists are free to operate without official interference or excessive state control, and whether journalists are experiencing intimidation or violence from any sources as they carry out their election reporting.