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Rules set for fair and equitable media coverage during Kosovo elections
PRISTINA 1 August 2000
PRISTINA, 1 August 2000 - The Central Elections Commission (CEC) has adopted rules governing the conduct of the media during the run-up to the forthcoming municipal elections aimed at ensuring that overall coverage is fair, accurate, equitable and impartial.
The Electoral Rule on the Media During the Election Campaign stipulates that the media must strive to ensure that all certified political parties, coalitions, citizens' initiatives and independent candidates receive fair and equitable news coverage as well as fair exposure through interviews, articles, debates and coverage of campaign activities during the entire electoral process. Studio debates, for example, must have a balanced line-up of guests and an impartial moderator. The media are also obliged to provide the public with accurate and balanced information concerning the views and activities of those certified to run in the local elections.
In addition, all journalists, editors, broadcasters and publishers must abide by the Codes of Conduct issued by the Temporary Media Commissioner, thereby ensuring the right to freedom of expression but within limits established by international Human Rights law.
They are also compelled by these Codes to strive to ensure accuracy, fairness and impartiality in all reporting.
During the 45 days prior to election day, all broadcast media are bound to provide free and equitable broadcast time for direct access by those certified to contest the elections - commonly known in European democracies as "party political broadcasts". The access rules, which will be set by the Temporary Media Commissioner, will be sufficient to allow all those contesting the elections to communicate their messages and enable voters to inform themselves of the issues.
Campaign advertising in the media is allowed under the Electoral Rule. Paid political advertising is permitted in the print media - as long as it is equitable and in line with pricing policies set by the Temporary Media Commissioner. However, paid political advertisements are banned in the broadcast media.
No media coverage of any political campaign activity will be allowed in the 24 hours prior to the opening of the polling stations until after they close.
The Election Campaign and Appeals sub-Commission will be responsible for sanctioning those certified to contest the elections for breaches of the media electoral rule. The Temporary Media Commissioner will be responsible for sanctioning the media for any violations.
The 20 political parties, two coalitions, three citizens' initiatives and fifteen independent candidates certified to contest the forthcoming elections in Kosovo's thirty municipalities by the CEC will be the direct beneficiaries of this important electoral rule, which is one more step by the CEC to ensure that the elections are free and fair.
For further information, contact OSCE Spokesperson Roland BlessTel: (+381-38) 500-162 or satphone: 871-762-009-948 ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-576 / email: press@omik.org//www.osce.org/kosovo/
The Electoral Rule on the Media During the Election Campaign stipulates that the media must strive to ensure that all certified political parties, coalitions, citizens' initiatives and independent candidates receive fair and equitable news coverage as well as fair exposure through interviews, articles, debates and coverage of campaign activities during the entire electoral process. Studio debates, for example, must have a balanced line-up of guests and an impartial moderator. The media are also obliged to provide the public with accurate and balanced information concerning the views and activities of those certified to run in the local elections.
In addition, all journalists, editors, broadcasters and publishers must abide by the Codes of Conduct issued by the Temporary Media Commissioner, thereby ensuring the right to freedom of expression but within limits established by international Human Rights law.
They are also compelled by these Codes to strive to ensure accuracy, fairness and impartiality in all reporting.
During the 45 days prior to election day, all broadcast media are bound to provide free and equitable broadcast time for direct access by those certified to contest the elections - commonly known in European democracies as "party political broadcasts". The access rules, which will be set by the Temporary Media Commissioner, will be sufficient to allow all those contesting the elections to communicate their messages and enable voters to inform themselves of the issues.
Campaign advertising in the media is allowed under the Electoral Rule. Paid political advertising is permitted in the print media - as long as it is equitable and in line with pricing policies set by the Temporary Media Commissioner. However, paid political advertisements are banned in the broadcast media.
No media coverage of any political campaign activity will be allowed in the 24 hours prior to the opening of the polling stations until after they close.
The Election Campaign and Appeals sub-Commission will be responsible for sanctioning those certified to contest the elections for breaches of the media electoral rule. The Temporary Media Commissioner will be responsible for sanctioning the media for any violations.
The 20 political parties, two coalitions, three citizens' initiatives and fifteen independent candidates certified to contest the forthcoming elections in Kosovo's thirty municipalities by the CEC will be the direct beneficiaries of this important electoral rule, which is one more step by the CEC to ensure that the elections are free and fair.
For further information, contact OSCE Spokesperson Roland BlessTel: (+381-38) 500-162 or satphone: 871-762-009-948 ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-576 / email: press@omik.org//www.osce.org/kosovo/