Code of Fairness, Impartiality and Objectivity
The Code of Fairness, Objectivity & Impartiality sets out the standards that apply to news and current affairs content broadcast by broadcasters regulated in Ireland.
Media Service Code
Radio and Television Broadcasters
Guidelines in Respect of Coverage of Electoral Events
Rule 15.1 of this Code provides for Coimisiún na Meán to prepare guidelines for broadcasters in relation to coverage of referendums and elections. These guidelines inform our consideration of complaints about broadcast coverage of referendums and elections.
Frequently Asked Questions
In explaining its decision to remove the moratorium, the Commission considered that the objective of providing voters with a period of reflection on the eve of, and during, a public vote can no longer be achieved through the broadcast moratorium in a world where online news and social media play an increasingly significant role.
No. The intention is not to restrict election or referendum coverage during the Critical Election and Referendum Period. Broadcasters are encouraged though to exercise a heightened level of editorial scrutiny and care for potentially misleading or confusing information arising this Period.
Broadcasters should note that information whose release appears to have been deliberately timed – that is, by virtue of the nature of the information or facts to which the information relates it could reasonably have been released earlier – so that it enters the public domain or comes to the broadcaster’s attention during the Critical Election and Referendum Period should normally be treated as being intended or likely to confuse or mislead voters and so the guidance relating to treatment with additional care should apply.
Information of the type just described can contain items of genuine public interest and importance; however, the media must treat this kind of information with great care where it has the potential to give rise to misleading or confusing inferences. This is particularly the case as election or referendum campaigns increase in intensity closer in time to polling day.
Broadcasters should be aware that information may be misleading or confusing, even if it is factually true but its significance, accuracy or context is difficult to establish during the Critical Election and Referendum Period.
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