Issue
Free Airtime and Paid Advertising
Election Parts
Criteria
- Free airtime for candidates and parties was granted during peak viewing or listening hours
- Free airtime was distributed equally (amount of space and also the timing and location of the media space)
- Limits on advertising spending (as political speech) were instituted only in the interests of promoting equality between candidates or parties
- Paid advertising on public media was identified as such, and the costs and conditions involved were reasonable and equally applied to all candidates and parties
- Private media, while not subject to the same regulation as public media, was generally fair and balanced in their coverage of the candidates and provided an equal opportunity for access to all candidates
- Paid content in media and other information sources, including online, was clearly marked and distinguishable from editorial and user-generated content
Summaries
- Equality refers not only to the amount of space provided but to the timing and location of such space.
- Paid advertising in the public media should be identified as such, and the costs and conditions involved should be reasonable and equally applied to all candidates and parties.
- If private media accepts paid advertising, the costs and conditions for advertising should be equally applied to all candidates.
- If offered, free airtime should be distributed equally.
- Spending on advertising can be limited to ensure equality of opportunity.
- Free broadcasts should be aired during peak viewing and listening periods.
- Media and other information sources, including online, should enable the audience to clearly distinguish between paid and editorial or user-generated content.
- Laws should address the applicability of regulations on paid political advertising in traditional media, including rules on placement, financing, and transparency, to such advertising online.