Globe International NGO | www.globeinter.org

7.1 It should be noted that Mongolian journalists understood the importance of media monitoring and their attitude towards monitoring was very positive and respectful. The major media fairly reported to the public on the monitoring results, and GI is sure that many journalists worked fairly and honestly during the presidential elections.

The monitoring team reported that Mongolian voters received sufficient election information during the election campaign.

While most monitored TV channels provided a more balanced coverage of the candidates in the last four weeks of the campaign, this was not because of improved reporting, but because most TV channels sold prime time news time to candidates (on an equal basis). This practice is totally unacceptable from the point of view of journalistic ethics. Another disturbing finding of GI throughout this project was the consistent practice by most monitored media outlets of neglecting to air opposing views in the body of a particular story. The monitoring results revealed disturbing problems in news and current affairs coverage of candidates in most monitored media outlets. This situation made it very difficult for Mongolians to get an accurate and unbiased coverage of political parties, candidates and other issues. In general, the biased media coverage of the election demonstrated that Mongolia lacks a strong and independent media able to provide objective and balanced information to the electorate to enable them to make a well-informed choice at the ballot box.

When compared to the 2004 parliamentary elections, the broadcast media were more balanced than the print media, but while most monitored TV channels provided a more balanced coverage of the candidates in the last four weeks of the campaign, this balance was not because of improved reporting, but because most TV channels sold prime time news time to candidates on an equal basis. This practice is totally unacceptable from the point of view of journalistic ethics.
Another disturbing finding of GI throughout this project was the consistent practice by most monitored media outlets of neglecting to air opposing views in the body of the particular story. The monitoring results revealed disturbing problems in news and current affairs coverage of candidates in most monitored media outlets. This made it very difficult for Mongolians to get an accurate and unbiased coverage of political parties, candidates and other issues. In general, the biased media coverage of the election demonstrated that Mongolia lacks a strong and independent media able to provide objective and balanced information to the electorate to enable them to make a well-informed choice at the ballot box.
In the Mongolian media there was insufficient independent journalism for analysis of election platforms, promoting of debates and providing pluralistic views and professional investigations
The televised June 18 debate on MNTV was not able to provide sufficient information to influence a better choice by voters. The format did not meet proper standards, with candidates answering prepared questions from an interviewer rather than a moderator. Candidates did not have the chance to debate each other or to ask each other questions.
The Mongolian media has so far failed to serve as a forum for the exchange of opinions, public debate, confrontation, investigation and commentary that would offer the public fully informed, analyzed and assessed views of persons seeking elected office.

Basing on election coverage standards and findings of election media monitoring, Globe International recommends the following to NDI and other international organizations working for democracy, freedom of expression, information and the media.

We note that Mongolia has achieved significant results in guaranteeing freedoms of expression and the media, and in the promotion of free and independent media. We emphasize that in order to strengthen democracy, particularly to promote democratic elections and enhance the role of the media in elections, Mongolia needs reforms for a better political, legal and economic environment for the free media, and empowerment of journalists and media professionals through promotion of professional journalism and enhancement of their professional skills.

• Hold intensive training courses for journalists, editors and media owners on election coverage standards and principles, and the media's role in democratic elections.

• Raise awareness of politicians and enhance their knowledge of the importance of television debates.

1. To encourage a more favorable legal environment, it is necessary to:

Conduct a study of the media legal environment and promote media legal reform, including amendments to relevant media-related provisions to the Law on Presidential elections.
Conduct a study of the economic environment of the independent media and provide training to enhance knowledge of media management and how to survive long-term without relying on election advertising income.
Promote efficient implementation of the Media Freedom Law and campaign against censorship.
Accept international standards of editorial democracy and guarantee editorial independence.
Assist the media to establish a media self-regulatory body and support the media, particularly the public media, in an adoption of media standards for election coverage.Demand that media owners, particularly of the broadcast media, to disclose their names and let the public be aware of the sources of the information they receive from those media.