[cma-l] Local election interviews

[Richard Berry]

This probably represents the best advice. There's also useful tips  
here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/news/news-2011-01-10/

The same rules on balance apply to local councils as they do to  
national parliamentary and the referendum. You should offer everyone  
standing the opportunity to take part, even if they decline. Remember  
this? http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/enforcement/broadcast-bulletins/obb162/ 
   - a station who failed to invite everyone. How you choose to  
interview them though, is largely up to you. But there needs to  
opportunities and balance across the output. Specifically "Rule 6.10  
requires that if a broadcaster is to broadcast a programme containing  
a report or discussion about a particular electoral area, the  
broadcaster must offer candidates from other parties (and independent  
candidates) with previous significant electoral support, an  
opportunity to take part in that programme." So, that may mean you  
don't need to invite Bill from the save my shed party - unless he was  
the sitting candidate who's about resign and stand independently.

The councillors may feel they don't want to talk and that's up to  
them. They cannot, of course, take part in programmes where there is  
no balance. So, any weekly 'moan-in' type features should be suspended  
- so maybe that's their concern


Richard



Richard Berry
Senior Lecturer in Radio Studies
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On 28 Feb 2011, at 11:45, Bill Best wrote:

> On 27 February 2011 22:40, Trevor Lockwood <lockwood at btinternet.com>  
> wrote:
>>
>> I've just been told by a local councillor that they are advised  
>> they must go into
>> 'purdah' for some time before the coming elections, and not talk to  
>> the media.
>>
>> We plan to interview every candidate - as we did for the  
>> Parliamentary elections.
>>
>> Anyone know where I can find the law?
>>
>> Trevor
>
> Trevor
>
> Coincidentally the new Broadcast Code has just been published this  
> morning.
>
> "Section Six: Elections and Referendums" defines the election period
> for local government elections begins with "the last date for
> publication of notices of the election" and ends with the close of the
> poll.
>
> And (Section 6.2) says that "due weight must be given to the coverage
> of major parties during the election period. Broadcasters must also
> consider giving appropriate coverage to other parties and independent
> candidates with significant views and perspectives".
>
> http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/elections/
>
> I'm getting a second opinion from Ofcom now.
>
> Bill
> -- 
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