LIBYA ELECTIONS LIVE

Sharon Lynch e sharon.lynch@verizon.net s shar0nlynch p + 001 646 279 8753

On 19 June 2012 Libya will experience a landmark moment as it proceeds to the polls for the first free elections in most of its young populations lifetime. The significance of this election is underscored by the fact that the national representatives elected in June will in turn appoint a committee to draft the constitution that will determine how the country is governed. This election cycle will also establish how elections will be organized and regulated going forward. During a conversation on twitter about the Libyan elections, a Libyan tweep urged an American, Sharon Lynch, to come to Libya and write about the Libyan elections. He felt that her western point of view and experience with democratic elections and congressional campaigns in the United States would be instrumental in engaging Libyans in the electoral process. In particular, he liked the questions that she asked about the election process and thought she raised issues that would help Libyans to formulate standards and realistic expecations for their elected officials. What began as a twitter conversation about the Libyan elections has evolved into a proposal to develop a television series shot on location in Libya that will become the go to source for Libyans looking for information about the Libyan elections: Libya Elections Live. In a nutshell, the show will function as election central for a Libyan audience. Conceptually, it will present nonpartisan coverage of the history of elections in Libya, the election timeline/process, nuts and bolts of the election law, districting, voting simulation, ballot design, campaign finance, suffrage including female and minority representation, election campaigning, party platforms, election monitoring, transparency in counting the vote, responsibilities of elected representatives, the drafting of the Libyan constitution, and current political issues evolving in Libya. The format will involve interviews and moderated panel discussions with candidates, party leaders, political analysts, civil society groups working to demystify the electoral process, and the Libyan man/woman on the street. It is also likely that election related events, such as debates and ralllies will be filmed as part of the show. Libya Elections Live will be made for Libyans by Libyans. Libyan civil society strategist and senior advisor to the Ministry of Culture and Civil Society, Zahra Langhi will be the face of the show. As host, she will conduct one-on-one interviews and moderate panel discussions. Shows will be conceptualized, written, and planned as a collaborative effort between Langhi, Lynch, and Rida Nayed, head of the Tripoli communications agency Shout. Fresh off a voting awareness campaign for the High National ElectionCommittee, Nayed will handle art direction, directing, and cinematography. An expert on Libyas electoral law, Langhi was integrally involved in developing the unique hybrid electoral process designed to ensure the involvement of women in Libyan government. As cofounder of LIbyan Womens Peace Platfrom, she has collaborated with UN Women and is currently presenting workshops to train women and youth campaigners in strategic communications skills. Filmed on location in voting districts throughout the country, the show willl be distinctively pan-Libyan, incorporating regional leadership figures and cultural landmarks. Our goal is to have a fully Libyan staffed production crew (with the exception of Lynch). Ten 30 and 60 minute shows will be filmed and aired in the three weeks prior to the election date. Footage will be shot on video using two to five cameras, according to segment. Dialogue willl be in Arabic. If audience research indicates that adding an English voice over version will enable reaching a wider audience in the diaspora, this component will be added. The show will be promoted via print, radio, and social networking sites. Corresponding newspaper articles will be written in Arabic and English. In summary, the objective is to provide the information that Libyans will need prior to going to the polls in June, faciliating a comfort level with and understanding of the electoral process. The interview format will encourage critical thinking and informed decision making, ensuring that the first free Libyan elections will be fair, transparent, and successful. Libya Elections Live will become the go to place for Libyans to catch up with the latest in election developments.
Sharon Lynch, 2012. All rights reserved

LIBYA ELECTIONS LIVE

Sharon Lynch e sharon.lynch@verizon.net s shar0nlynch c + 001 646 279 8753

Libya Elections Live Fact Sheet

Summary Ten 30-60 minute weekly television shows covering the Libyan national election aired during the two weeks prior to the national election. A pan-Libyan production, shows will be filmed in voting districts throughout Libya by a Libyan film crew for a Libyan audience. To provide the information that Libyans will need prior to going to the polls in June, facilitating a comfort level with and understanding of the electoral process. The interview format will encourage critical thinking and informed decision making, ensuring that the first free Libyan elections will be fair, transparent, and successful. Libya Elections Live will become the must see show for Libyans to catch up with and understand the latest in election developments. A nonpartisan election central series covering topics including: a history of elections in Libya, the time line/process of what will be a first election for many, the nuts and bolts of the election law, an explanation of how voting districts were determined, the importance of transparency, voting simulation, ballot design, campaign finance, suffrage including female and minority representation, campaigning for election, party platforms, election monitoring, counting the vote, responsibilities of elected representatives, the drafting of the Libyan constitution, and current political issues evolving in Libya. Filmed in a Tripoli studio and on the streets of communities throughout Libya. In the studio: moderated panel discussions with candidates, party leaders, political analysts, civil society groups working to demystify the electoral process. In communities: conversations with Libyan men/women on the street. Zahra Langhi. Libyan civil society strategist and senior advisor to the Ministry of Culture and Civil Society, Langhi will be the face of the show. An expert on Libyas unique hybrid electoral system and cofounder of the Libyan Womens Peace Platform, Langhi was integrally involved in developing the law for the zippered party configuration designed to ensure the involvement of women in the election. She collaborates with UN Women on programs to empower Libyan women and youth. Shout Communications Agency. Headed by agency producer and creative Rida Nayed, Shout has been producing quality television for Libyan audiences since 2007. The agencys recent PSAs for the elections and powerful commercial for Madar can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7R6g1n1XBo&feat ure=autoplay&list=ULo4UaEWCN3OE&playnext=3. Nayed, also a co-founder of RadioZone Libya, has his finger on the pulse of Libyan electoral politics. Sharon Lynch. Lynch, a seasoned commercial television producer, followed the Libyan Revolution closely from the outset, supporting citizen journalist Mohamed Nabbous. She developed a deep connection to and respect for Libyans and their fight for freedom and dignity. As campaign manager for a USA Congressional candidate in 2007, Lynch is familiar with election regulations designed to promote fair and transparent elections. She writes about Libyas elections for the Libya Herald. $200,000.00 US Filming will take place during the 21 days prior to the election. Libyans in Libya and the diaspora. Libyan Arabic.

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Sharon Lynch, 2012. All rights reserved.