The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is hosting a series of online training sessions for journalists in Myanmar on reporting elections to prepare them for the anticipated 2020 General Election.

ANFREL, in cooperation with the Myanmar Press Council (MPC), kicked off its “Training of Trainers Program for Journalists in Myanmar on Election Reporting” on 25 May 2020. The training workshop will cover various topics familiarizing the participants on the political system and elections in Myanmar, the role of media in democratic elections, and related skills with the help of election and media experts who will help the journalists navigate the complexities of the entire electoral process during the program.

Amaël Vier, ANFREL Program Officer for Capacity Building and International Election Observation, on International Election Principles.

Ko Sai Ye Kyaw Swar Myint, People's Alliance for Credible Elections (PACE) Executive Director, on the Political System and Election in Myanmar.

A media toolkit titled "Reporting on Elections: A Toolkit for Journalists in Myanmar" was published earlier this year to serve as a primary resource for the journalists. It contains fundamental focus areas for the media to understand the electoral process, appreciate their roles in elections and democracy, and gain techniques to better perform their duties.

ANFREL, recognizing that the role of the media as sources of information during elections is vital to help the electorate make informed decisions, hopes the training would allow journalists to gain the necessary understanding and skills they need to enable them to contribute in ensuring free and fair elections in Myanmar.

The program would not have been possible without the generous support from the Canadian Embassy in Yangon and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.