<div dir="ltr"><p>With the forthcoming General Election Ofcom has reminded stations and
 licence holders where to find information about the Broadcasting Code 
rules which apply during election and referendum periods.</p>
<p>During election periods special impartiality rules apply and they are set out in Section Six of the Code:</p>
<p><a href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/elections/" target="_blank">http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/elections/</a></p>
<p>The relevant Guidance Notes are at:</p>
<p><a href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/831193/section6.pdf" target="_blank"> http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/831193/section6.pdf</a></p>
<p>In particular, please note that Ofcom has recently published the list of major parties applicable for the May 2015 elections:</p>
<p><a href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/major-parties.pdf" target="_blank"> http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/major-parties.pdf</a></p>
<p>At ALL times there are rules which apply to broadcasters concerning 
‘due impartiality’ and ‘due accuracy’ and ‘undue prominence of views and
 opinions on matters of political or industrial controversy and matters 
relating to current public policy’.</p>
<p>These rules are included in Section Five of the Broadcasting Code:</p>
<p><a href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/impartiality/" target="_blank">http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/impartiality/</a></p>
<p>The Section Five guidance notes are at:</p>
<p><a href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/831193/section5.pdf" target="_blank"> http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/guidance/831193/section5.pdf</a></p>
<p>Please also see the recent note to broadcasters Ofcom published in the Broadcast Bulletin 275 (p10):</p><p><a href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/enforcement/broadcast-bulletins/obb275/Issue275.pdf" target="_blank"> http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/enforcement/broadcast-bulletins/obb275/Issue275.pdf</a></p>
<p>In addition, you may find of interest the <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/CMA_Slides/ofcom-election-workshop-slides-mar15" target="_blank">slideshow </a>which outlines Ofcom’s various election rules.</p>
<p>If you would find it helpful to have informal guidance on Sections Five and Six of the Code, you can contact Ofcom directly (<a href="mailto:adam.baxter@ofcom.org.uk" target="_blank">adam.baxter@ofcom.org.uk</a>).</p><p>The contents of this email may be viewed online here:</p><p><a href="http://www.commedia.org.uk/go/community-radio/ofcom-broadcasting-code-elections/">http://www.commedia.org.uk/go/community-radio/ofcom-broadcasting-code-elections/</a><br></p><p></p>\\<br><br clear="all"><div><div>Community Media Association<br>-- <br><a href="http://www.commedia.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.commedia.org.uk/</a><br><a href="http://twitter.com/community_media" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/community_media</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation</a><br><br>Canstream Internet Radio &amp; Video<br><a href="http://www.canstream.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.canstream.co.uk/</a><br><a href="https://twitter.com/canstream" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/canstream</a></div></div>
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