This lesson plan is designed for trainers to adapt in order to teach students the essential considerations required for journalists covering an election.
It’s based on the article ‘Planning tips for effective election coverage‘ which we recommend you read before adapting this lesson for your own purposes.
Introduction
This day-long workshop is designed to equip media managers, editors, and senior journalists with a robust framework for planning election coverage. The plan moves from high-level editorial strategy and ethics to the practicalities of logistics, safety, and digital engagement. By the end of the day, participants will have a comprehensive checklist and a draft strategy to ensure their newsroom provides fair, accurate, and impactful coverage.
Sessions Timetable
- 09:00–10:00 – Session 1: Setting the editorial vision.
- Aims: To define the core purpose of election coverage and establish editorial priorities.
- Presentation: Focus on the importance of serving the audience rather than the politicians. Discuss how to focus on the issues that affect the lives of the voters.
- Activity: In small groups, list the top five issues currently facing the electorate and brainstorm how these can be turned into a series of thematic reports.
- Discussion: How do we ensure our coverage remains independent of political pressure and commercial interests?
- 10:00–11:00 – Session 2: Ethics, balance, and impartiality.
- Aims: To establish a clear set of ethical guidelines for the campaign period.
- Presentation: Cover the principles of fair airtime, the right of reply, and the dangers of inflammatory rhetoric. Explain why impartiality does not mean giving equal time to lies, but rather providing a fair representation.
- Activity: Review a series of hypothetical headlines and social media posts. Participants must identify potential bias or ethical breaches in each.
- Discussion: What are the specific local legal requirements or media codes of conduct that must be adhered to during this election?
- 11:00-11:15 – Break
- 11:15–12:45 – Session 3: Operational logistics and the election budget.
- Aims: To map out the physical and financial resources required for comprehensive coverage.
- Presentation: Outline the necessity of a dedicated election desk. Discuss budgeting for travel, equipment, overtime, and data visualisation tools. Explain the importance of a centralised calendar for key dates and rallies.
- Activity: Create a resource map. Identify which staff members will be deployed where, and what equipment – such as mobile kits or satellite phones – is required for remote locations.
- Discussion: How can we maximise our existing resources if the budget is limited?
- 12:45–13:45 – Lunch
- 13:45–15:00 – Session 4: Safety, security, and journalist well-being.
- Aims: To prepare staff for the physical and digital risks associated with election reporting.
- Presentation: Discuss risk assessment for reporters in the field, particularly during rallies or in hostile environments. Cover digital security, including protecting sources and managing online harassment.
- Activity: Perform a risk-benefit analysis for a hypothetical assignment in a high-tension voting district.
- Discussion: What is our newsroom’s protocol if a journalist is threatened or detained? How are we monitoring staff exhaustion and mental health?
- 15:00-15:15 – Break
- 15:15–16:15 – Session 5: Engaging the audience and digital strategy.
- Aims: To develop a plan for multi-platform delivery and audience participation.
- Presentation: Explore ways to involve the audience through town hall meetings, social media polls, and user-generated content. Discuss the role of fact-checking units in debunking misinformation in real-time.
- Activity: Design a social media campaign for election day that encourages voters to share their experiences at the polls without violating secrecy laws.
- Discussion: How do we ensure our digital coverage reaches marginalised groups or those in areas with poor internet connectivity?
- 16:15–17:00 – Session 6: Results night and the post-election period.
- Aims: To plan the final push of the election cycle and the transition to post-election analysis.
- Presentation: Detail the logistics of the results night: data visualisation, expert panels, and live reporting from count centres. Discuss the importance of continuing the story after the winner is declared – holding the new government to their promises.
- Activity: Draft a post-election roadmap for the first 100 days of the new administration.
- Discussion: What have we learned today that will most significantly change our current planning approach?
Assignment
Participants are required to produce a draft election coverage manifesto. This document must include a mission statement for the newsroom, a list of three key editorial themes, a basic safety protocol for field reporters, and a preliminary schedule for the final 48 hours of the campaign.
Materials needed
- Flip charts and markers.
- Printouts of the national media code of conduct.
- Laptop and projector for presentations.
- Sample risk assessment forms.
- Access to the internet for research.
Assessment
- Participation: Engagement in group activities and contributions to plenary discussions.
- Performance: The quality and feasibility of the draft Manifesto produced in the final assignment.
- Comprehension: Ability to identify and address ethical and logistical challenges during activities.
Summary
This lesson plan provides a comprehensive guide for trainers to help newsrooms move from reactive reporting to proactive, audience-centred election planning. By addressing editorial vision, ethics, logistics, safety, and digital engagement, media houses can ensure their coverage is a service to democracy.
