Media analyst

Beyond parties and candidates themselves, the media are the most important source of election-related information for the public. Their ability to function freely and independently is essential to a democratic election.

The media analyst leads a team of four to eight individuals responsible for preparing both quantitative - the total amount of time and space devoted to candidates and parties - and qualitative - whether that coverage is positive, negative, or neutral - analysis.

An observation mission also assesses media laws, the performance of regulatory bodies, and whether media-related complaints are handled fairly and efficiently.

"In a number of countries where I have conducted media analysis, the media are still not sufficiently free," says Rasto Kuzel, a Slovak citizen who has worked on more than twenty election observation missions or projects as a media analyst.

"Media-monitoring projects can provide the general public with benchmarks to judge the fairness of the entire election process. This function is vital even in those countries that have a long-term tradition of freedom of speech and freedom of the media."