There was no official ban on the media from covering the progress of counting at the Rita Flynn Indoor Complex, where counting for Moresby North-West and NCD Provincial seats are taking place.
Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato said this when responding to the reported media ban at the NCD counting venue on Wednesday, following the arrest of NCD Election Manager Alwyn Jimmy on Monday night.
“Media is a very important stakeholder in the 2017 National Election because the media provides independent scrutiny of the election process to ensure that the whole process is transparent, impartial and has integrity,” he said in a statement.
“As watchdogs for the public interest, it is your responsibility as professional media personnel to ensure you provide the public with balanced news coverage of this election event.
“It is essential that the media, as gatekeepers of information, report election events accurately, especially the 2017 National Election.
“This is because misreporting and misinformation can lead to unrest and violence during and after the election process,” Commissioner Gamato added.
He said the media, as an important stakeholder in any election event, has a huge responsibility to play.
Gamato said the pen is mightier than the sword and the media can make or break a nation.
“So far, media coverage on the 2017 Election has been good and I congratulate you all for that,” he further added.