Media In Elections

1
Media In Elections

• Simon Haselock

2
Introduction

• Short Presentation on the main issues Followed
  by questions and discussions.
• Two areas
• 1- Mechanisms
• 2- Issues

3
Topics of Discussion

• Fair reporting and equitable access
• Advertising
• Media Obligations and direct access programs
• Opinion and exit polls
• Media Silence
• Incitement and Public Order
• Rights of reply
• Limitations on Media Liability
• Violations, sanctions and implementation.

4
Mechanisms

• Elements of most systems
• Institutions
• Elections Commission.
• Independent Regulatory Agency.
• Law
• Licences
• Rules and Codes
• Guidelines.
• Campaign period.
• Due process

5
Fair Reporting Equitable Access

• Fair Reporting
• Balanced and Unbiased
• Fair and Impartial
• Hear and represent all opinion
• Equitable Access
• Proportionate not necessarily equal
• Public/Government media equal
• Fairness in time and placement
• NBJudgement required for Government officials in
  office. News or campaign?

6
Political Advertising

• Decision to take whether to allow paid political
  advertising?
• IF YES
• Equitable terms (Pricing and total funds allowed)
• Equitably applied (Have to sell space to all)
• Clearly identified and distinguishable from other
  programming.
• Limits on time per hour for ads and spots

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Obligations of Broadcasters

• Voter Education
• Allocation of Air time ( Ballots etc)
• Direct access programs (Political debates
  discussions news coverage etc.)
• NB. Particular obligations of Public Media.

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Opinion Polls

• Report fairly and not selectively
• Explain context
• Identified who carried out the poll, where, when
  and method.
• No reporting on opinion polls at least 72 hours
  before election day.
• No reporting on Exit polls until voting closed.

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Media Silence

• Media Silence Period normally 48 hours before
  polling day
• No campaign programming
• No political advertising.
• Yes for voter education up to and throughout
  polling day.
• Only news coverage of events and incidents.
• NB Importance of campaign Period.

10
Incitement Public Order.

• To be considered only if conditions warrant.
• Clear and imminent risk of inciting violence,
  disorder or ethic/religious hatred.
• Clear risk of public harm, death, serious injury
  or damage to property.

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Right of Reply

• If a candidate can show he has been significantly
  and unjustly affected by inaccurate information.
• Only applies to incorrect facts.
• Not required if a correction or an apology
  provided.

12
Limitations on Liability

• Media should not be held liable for violations
  if
• They had no opportunity to prevent dissemination
• And they took steps to mitigate its effect and
  impact.

13
Violations, Sanctions Implementation.

• Clear and transparent process for complaints and
  adjudicating violations.
• To include an appeals process
• Through Audio Visual Council or the Commissions
  own mechanisms?
• Range of sanctions from warnings through fines to
  suspension and closure
• Public information campaign on procedures
• Consultation on Codes and rules before enactment
  with profession and public

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Questions?