Media on Elections and Violence 2016

Scope and Time-Frame

The report for ARMM took note of the consolidated data on election-related violent incidents (ERVIs) from March 29 to May 9. The report from May 10 to June 8 has not been made. For the incidents in this region, combined data from the PNP ARMM Regional Office, the AFP 6^th ID, and the media were noted.

Evaluation of Media Reports

PNP and Army Data

Most media reports cite the police or the military as sources. As in previous elections, more reporters are sent to the field a day before the elections, on Election Day itself and the day after – in this case, from May 8 to 10.

Facebook has also been a source of reports or tips but media reports still opt for the traditional sources on ERVIs: the police and the military, whose incident reports lack vital answers to the media’s 5Ws and one H.  In the rush to post the first report on the incident, what the police or military reported finds itself into the media report with no additional details.

Additional details and the context behind the incident, however, can be provided when the reports are from the field itself —when reporters are in the areas where these incidents are reported.

Media reportage on the ERVIs can be improved if the reportorial staff (reporters and editors) do not rely merely on PNP and Army reports but seek other sources, especially if they are not on field. But competition on who breaks the news first, especially on Election Day, appears to be the norm.  Accuracy is sacrificed for speed.

On the other hand, the ARMM-PNP and Army need to improve on their reporting.

The ARMM-PNP report, in matrix form, only cites the date, time, incident, barangay, municipality, province and source.

• Of the total 58 incidents reported by the Philippine National Police in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PNP-ARMM) in the five-province, two-city ARMM, more than half (33 incidents or 56.9%) were reported in Maguindanao, 14 in Lanao del Sur (24.14%), 6 in Basilan (10.34%) and 4 in Sulu (6.9%).
• Tawi-Tawi had zero incident.
• The most reported incident is classified under “bombing/explosion” with 15 incidents (25.86%) representing about a fourth of the total. Maguindanao again posted the highest number of “bombing/explosion” incidents at 10 or 66.67%.
• Media reports are mostly based on police and military reports.
• Out of the 58 incidents reported, 13 persons were reported killed (22.41%). Of the 13 killed, seven were reported in Lanaodel Sur (53.85%).
• Most of the victims were supporters of candidates.

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