Watching the watchdog

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia is embarking on a media monitoring project for the upcoming general election and is seeking dedicated, highly-motivated individuals for the monitoring team.

CIJ is a registered not-for-profit civil society group aspiring toward a society that is democratic, just and free, where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information. Media monitoring is an important part of our work toward advocacy for law reform.

For this particular monitoring project, we are seeking civic-minded people who will be able to monitor select media every day from nomination day until after the election results are announced. Our scope is currently limited to Malay, English and Mandarin media in the peninsula because of funding constraints – hence, monitors must be literate in any of these languages.

Monitors will be asked to put their political biases aside and must sign a pledge to maintain complete objectivity for the project as well as adhere to a code of conduct.

Monitors must undergo a one-day training on 24 September 2011 (Saturday), at a venue in the Klang Valley yet to be decided.

Former journalists, university and college students – especially those with political, journalism and social science knowledge – retirees and bloggers with an active interest in media and the democratic process, are most welcome to apply. Monitors will be paid a modest fee for their time and effort.

If you can meet the above criteria and have a desire to contribute toward ensuring that the media play its role in enabling the right to freedom of expression of both voters and candidates, please write to us, stating:

1. full name
2. personal contact details
3. relevant information about your interest and experience in such work.

Applications must be received by 9 September 2011. Successful applicants will be contacted for a short interview before the training.

For more informtion, contact cijmalaysia (a) gmail.com or call Siew Eng/Mas at 03-4023 0772.

Published: 2/9/2011