Guidelines for Political Broadcast

The Broadcasting Commission reminds all broadcasters and members of the public of the requirements for political broadcasts, as set out in the Broadcasting and Radio Re-Diffusion Act and the Television and Sound Broadcasting Regulations, 1996.

Identification of Political Party/Sponsor

All political broadcasts including advertisements must identify the party or sponsor at the beginning and end of the broadcast.

Impartiality

Broadcasters must give equal air-time access to all political parties and candidates. Any financial concessions made by broadcasters for air-time to a political party or candidate must also be offered on the same terms to other parties and candidates.

Generally, broadcast content should NOT:

• be abusive or derogatory of anyone\\\'s race, colour, creed, religion or sex - Regulation 30(b);
• be libellous - Regulation 30(c);
• contain any false or misleading information - Regulation 30(f);
• contain any material which might incite violence, criminal activity or any public disorder - Regulation 30(k);
• include any portrayal of violence that offends against good taste, decency or public morality - Regulation 30(l)

 

Complaints

Complaints about alleged breaches must be made to the Broadcasting Commission at the earliest opportunity. The Broadcasting Commission would need the following information to proceed with an investigation:

• Name of broadcast or cable service that transmitted the material;
• Date and time at which the broadcast was aired;
• Name of the programme in which the broadcast was aired;
• Details of the content being complained about.