According to the 2004 RBA Binding Instructions, the state-owned electronic media was required to provide free-of-charge and equal broadcasting time for all the candidates. Private broadcasters were given the right to define the format and extent of their coverage of the campaign. However, if private broadcasters decided to provide candidates with free-of-charge time, then such time had to be equally distributed among all the candidates. Candidates also had the right to place paid advertisements in the broadcast media and broadcasters were obligated to provide the candidates with equal opportunities for placement of advertisements.