Media Dialogue Calls for Strong Partnership to Protect Election Information

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Solomon Islands Democratic Governance and Electoral Assistance Project (SIDGEAP), hosted a one‑day Media, Elections and Democratic Governance Dialogue at Heritage Park Hotel, drawing together senior media journalists, emerging reporters, and academia.

Opening the event, UNDP stressed the importance of strengthening public trust, accountability, and civic participation through reliable information and professional media engagement.

Delivering the keynote address, Chief Electoral Officer and Commissioner Jasper Highwood Anisi urged a stronger partnership between the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and the media, warning that election information can be easily undermined by deliberate disinformation, accidental inaccuracies, fabricated notices, and gaps in official communication.

“Information is part of the election process. Voters need to know how to register, where to go, what deadlines apply and how to take part,” Anisi said.

The dialogue unfolded through a series of sessions. The first explored the state of the media and industry challenges, focusing on rural reliance, digital shifts, and newsroom pressures. This was followed by a deep dive into media ethics and verification, highlighting the need to uphold editorial independence and strengthen fact‑checking practices in a fast‑moving information environment.

Attention then turned to information integrity and elections, where SIEC shared insights on voter registration, electoral timelines, and strategies to counter disinformation. The final session spotlighted public interest journalism and inclusion, emphasizing women’s leadership, youth engagement, and disability inclusion in media storytelling.

Together, these discussions emphasized the central role of the media in safeguarding democracy, ensuring voters receive information that is accurate, accessible, and trustworthy.

Anisi encouraged continuous engagement between election authorities and the media throughout the electoral cycle, noting that regular briefings, clear contacts, fact sheets, and prompt responses can help journalists guide voters to reliable information. He also stressed the importance of reaching diverse audiences through radio, community networks, local outreach, and digital platforms, delivered in plain language, local languages, and accessible formats.

Drawing on UNDP guidance, he urged election bodies to keep official information current, build relationships with media and community partners early, and establish clear procedures for verifying and responding to claims that could affect voters.

“The Commission administers the election. The media inform and scrutinise. Voters make their own decisions. Each role is different, and each is essential to public confidence in the process,” Anisi concluded.

ENDS///

Panelists share insights during the Media, Elections and Democratic Governance Dialogue, discussing media ethics, information integrity, and the role of journalism in strengthening democracy in Solomon Islands.

Participants at the Media, Elections and Democratic Governance Dialogue hosted by UNDP in Honiara, bringing together media professionals and academia to strengthen election information integrity and promote informed civic participation in Solomon Islands.