[cma-l] Election Guidelines

David (RadioPeople) david at theradiopeople.co.uk
Thu Apr 20 22:50:07 BST 2017 

We have updated our Election Guidelines for Radio Stations, (available here http://www.theradiopeople.co.uk/election.html <http://www.theradiopeople.co.uk/election.html> ) which includes two important changes since the General Election of 2015:

1. Ofcom has now removed the concept of ‘larger’ parties from their rules and replaced it with a more relaxed requirement on broadcasters to take election-related editorial decisions and decisions about coverage by reference to evidence of past electoral support and/or current support.  Ofcom has set out factors, in the latest version of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code (Section Six), which all broadcasters should consider in weighing different types of evidence when making decisions in election party coverage 

2. The revised rules to Section Five and Section Six of the Code which came into effect on Saturday 22 March 2017. So if you haven’t done so in the last month, it might be worth having a quick read to refresh your ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts'



Regards

David
www.theradiopeople.co.uk <http://www.theradiopeople.co.uk/> 



> On 20 Apr 2017, at 19:34, Eden FM Radio <admin at edenfm.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> Different stations will of course manage things in the way that suits their needs.
>  
> As suggested, perhaps sharing experiences and ideas will benefit us all. Here is mine FWIW.
>  
> I launched Meridian FM in East Grinstead in 2010 and within two weeks, we were in purdah.
>  
> The station is located in the town's community centre, where the largest constituency hustings of the election is held. Our first major outside broadcast for the station, was the hustings, which were broadcast live and in full.
>  
> At the hustings event, we recorded interviews with five of the six candidates, the last one was a no-show. Each interview covered the same topics, roughly the same length and used the following week.
>  
> It is said that the parties monitor the local stations – trust me, they do. We had a call from one party, who complained that the audio level of their interview was lower than another one and demanded a replay. We check the off-air audio log and all was well.
>  
> One party had taken photographs and used, without asking, one of their candidate in the studio in their election leaflet ! That could upset the impartiality of the station and another party made a formal complaint. Needless to say, there was a certain amount of rage about that at the station, as one station member in the photo certainly didn't support that party. The party in question refused to withdraw their leaflet. Later, the party who complained, refused to come on air due to the partiality of the station due to the leaflet.
> 
> Talk about a baptism of fire! 
> 
> That all said, we managed everything within our control well inside the regulations and provided a good service to the community.
>  
> I’m at a different station now (Eden FM) and we can use that experience and others besides to determine what we do here. Currently, that is not formulated, given that the election call is so recent.
>  
> Onward in to the fog . . . 
>  
> -Nigel-
> 
> Eden FM Radio Ltd
> Office : 01786 899 101
> Studio: 01768 899 107
> Web: www.edenfm.co.uk <http://www.edenfm.co.uk/>
> Twitter: @EdenFmRadio
> Facebook : @edenfmonline
>  
> Mostyn Hall, Friargate, Penrith CA11 7XP
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Michael Robinson (MKFM) <mailto:michael at mkfm.com>
>> To: martin at martinsteers.co.uk <mailto:martin at martinsteers.co.uk> ; The Community Media Association Discussion List <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
>> Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 4:58 PM
>> Subject: Re: [cma-l] Election Guidelines
>> 
>> Hi All,
>> 
>> Thanks for the guide - will definitely send it around the station. Just some thoughts on what we are planning to do.
>> 
>> We regularly have local MPs and councillors on our discussion programmes and will hope to continue to do so over the next few weeks. During the last election we held two hour-long debates with all the candidates (one for each of the constituencies we cover) and did this in association with the local newspaper. This would definitely be something worth pursuing if you have good connections with your local media as we were able to have the event live on air but also gain some additional publicity in the newspaper and online too. The Lib Dems were the only party who didn't show to one of the debates and so were 'empty chaired' but this didn't cause any issues (we simply said every 10 mins or so that they were also standing).
>> 
>> In terms of this campaign, we have already been active online with news which could be a good alternative if people don't want to fall foul of election rules! These are some of our articles from the past few days:
>> http://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/city-mps-support-decision-to-call-for-an-early-election/ <http://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/city-mps-support-decision-to-call-for-an-early-election/>
>> http://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/emily-darlington-will-not-stand-for-labour-in-milton-keynes-north/ <http://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/emily-darlington-will-not-stand-for-labour-in-milton-keynes-north/>
>> http://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/mk-green-party-welcomes-opportunity-to-challenge-the-conservatives/ <http://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/mk-green-party-welcomes-opportunity-to-challenge-the-conservatives/>
>> 
>> I think it's very important community radio covers local politics as it definitely distinguishes us from our only commercial rival Heart who won't be covering it and BBC Three Counties who have a large patch so won't focus on MK as much!
>> 
>> It would be awesome if we could all share any plans or resources here so we can see what everyone else is up to!
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> 
>> Michael Robinson
>> Senior Producer and Head of Online Content
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> e: michael at mkfm.com <mailto:michael at mkfm.com>
>> t: 07943 703790 <tel:07943703790>MKFM is Milton Keynes' local radio station available on 106.3FM, on DAB Digital Radio, online at www.mkfm.com <http://www.mkfm.com/>, at www.facebook.com/mkfmradio <http://www.facebook.com/mkfmradio> and on twitter @mkfm <http://www.twitter.com/mkfm>. 
>> 
>> This is an e-mail from MKFM Ltd. Its contents are confidential to the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. It may not be disclosed to or used by anyone other than its intended recipient, nor may it be copied in any way. If received in error, please email a reply to the sender then delete it from your system. Although this e-mail has been scanned for viruses, MKFM Ltd cannot ultimately accept any responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan attachments (if any).  MKFM is a registered trademark of MKFM Ltd, all rights reserved.  
>> 
>> On 20 April 2017 at 16:42, Martin Steers <martin at martinsteers.co.uk <mailto:martin at martinsteers.co.uk>> wrote:
>>> Personally I think local democracy, elections etc are where community radio and community media can really shine!
>>> 
>>> Dont be scared to get involved, that advice booklet is a great start.
>>> 
>>> Most of the BBC are too regional to cover the areas and issues that CM can really get involved with and cover well, in fact the Gold Award for Live Event or OB last years Community Radio Awards was WCR with their General Election Debate. http://communityradioawards.org.uk/2016-gold-entries/ <http://communityradioawards.org.uk/2016-gold-entries/>
>>> 
>>> Also as a side note, its also the opportunity for stations (off air) and committee members, volunteers to ask all candidates what they are going to do to support community media, support and increase the radio fund etc blah blah
>>> 
>>> The ever hopeful and optimistic
>>> 
>>> Martin
>>> 
>>> On 20 April 2017 at 16:19, Canalside's Thread events guide for NE Cheshire <office at thethread.org.uk <mailto:office at thethread.org.uk>> wrote:
>>>> Nigel n’ all
>>>>  
>>>> To be honest guys I’m not sure whether we’ll be bothering this time round. Last time we gave each candidate 5 minutes to showcase their Policies and what they will do if elected. We feel that doing it this way you have less chance of someone pointing the finger at you and claiming that there is bias or favouritism towards a particular candidate or party.
>>>>  
>>>> We had a complaint 5 years ago after one of our guys and myself had given all candidates a good grilling. They claimed that we had been biased. When we listened back to the interviews it was a completely ridiculous accusation ….. in fact, if anything they got off lightly compared to the others. I suppose it is how people see it --- we see and hear things differently ……….. basically, you can’t win. I think it is Broadcast suicide as well if you let a rookie loose.
>>>>  
>>>> Horses for courses I suppose
>>>>  
>>>> We had another situation where one guy wouldn’t come in, but then complained because we had the others on. We pointed out that we had contacted the candidate on a number of occasions but he wasn’t available      ie:- the empty seat malarkey
>>>>  
>>>> We’re surrounded by two big BBC Local Stations anyway and our area is quite high on the Radio 4 Today list and 5 Live’ listenership… so best doing other things.
>>>>  
>>>> In fairness, the exercise is pointless as the coverage area of our Station, if a Chimpanzee put up wearing a Blue scarf it would get voted in. Macclesfield has been Tory since before the First World War.
>>>>  
>>>> Onwards and Upwards
>>>>  
>>>> Nick H Dumpty Malcolm Peter Brian Telescope Adrian Umbrella Stand Jasper Wednesday (pops mouth twice) Stoatgobbler John Raw Vegetable (whinnying) Arthur Norman Michael (blows squeaker) Featherstone Smith (whistle) Northcott Edwards Harris (fires pistol, then 'whoop') Mason (chuff-chuff-chuff-chuff) Frampton Jones Fruitbat Gilbert (sings) 'We'll keep a welcome in the <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mai_Jones>' (three shots) Williams If I Could Walk That Way <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk_this_way_(film_line)> Jenkin (squeaker) Tiger-drawers Pratt Thompson (sings) 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raindrops_Keep_Falling_On_My_Head>' Darcy Carter (horn) Pussycat (sings) 'Don't Sleep In The Subway <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Sleep_In_The_Subway>' Barton Mainwaring (hoot, 'whoop') Smith       😊
>>>>  
>>>>  
>>>> From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk <mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk> [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk <mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk>] On Behalf Of Eden FM Radio
>>>> Sent: 20 April 2017 14:53
>>>> To: The Community Media Association Discussion List <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk <mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>>
>>>> Subject: [cma-l] Election Guidelines
>>>>  
>>>> Paul Chantler, the well respected radio consultant, has kindly provided some guidelance notes on general election coverage, aimed pretty much at the community media market.
>>>> 
>>>> For our station, we are maining this a mandatory read and acknowledge as we head towards the GE purdah date.
>>>> 
>>>> http://www.devaweb.com/election/ <http://www.devaweb.com/election/>  is the place to find it.
>>>> 
>>>> Enjoy :)
>>>> 
>>>> -Nigel Peacock-
>>>> 
>>>> Eden FM Radio Ltd
>>>> Office : 01786 899 101 <tel:01786%20899101>
>>>> Studio: 01768 899 107 <tel:01768%20899107>
>>>> Web: www.edenfm.co.uk <http://www.edenfm.co.uk/>
>>>> Twitter: @EdenFmRadio
>>>> Facebook : @edenfmonline
>>>>  
>>>> Mostyn Hall, Friargate, Penrith CA11 7XP
>>>> 
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>>>> 
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>> 
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