[cma-l] Note to Broadcasters - Programming relating to the Scottish Independence Referendum

[CMA-L]

*From the Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin, Issue 254, 19 May 2014*

On 18 September 2014, the Scottish Independence Referendum will be held
within Scotland.

Ofcom reminds all broadcasters that great care needs to be taken when
broadcasting programming relating to the referendum. In particular,
broadcasters should ensure that they comply with Section Five (Due
Impartiality) [0] and Section Six (Elections and Referendums) [1] of the
Code, as well as the prohibition of political advertising contained in
section 321 of the Communications Act 2003.

The rules in Section Six apply during the “referendum period” which will
commence on *30 May 2014*.

Ofcom will consider any breach arising from referendum-related programming
to be potentially serious, and will consider taking regulatory action, as
appropriate, in such cases, including considering the imposition of a
statutory sanction.

For further information about the Scottish Independence Referendum,
broadcasters should visit the Electoral Commission website at:

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk

Broadcasters are also reminded that if they would find it helpful to have
informal guidance on Sections Five and Six of the Code, they can contact
Ofcom directly
(adam.baxter at ofcom.org.uk).

[0] See:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/831190/section5.pdfOfcom’s
published Guidance to Section Five of the Code can be found at:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/831193/section5.pdf

[1] See:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/831190/section6.pdfOfcom’s
published Guidance to Section Six of the Code can be found at:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/831193/section6.pdf

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