IX. Campaigning and media

Although the draft Code in Article 176 states the general principle that “candidates and parties, coalitions and nomination committees that have registered candidates shall be entitled to equal access to the sources of the information they need for the purposes of the election campaign”, the draft Code provides few guarantees for equal access. In fact, the draft Code shifts some responsibility for creating a level playing field from the state to the political contestants themselves.56 These provisions require the electoral contestants to reach a consensus on the content of the coverage in certain formats. However, consensus will be difficult to achieve before or during the electoral campaign period. Indeed, it will be difficult to reach an agreement among broadcast media and all electoral contestants on the content of debates due to the fact that various competing political parties will promote discussion of certain issues beneficial to the party’s campaign. The Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR recommend that the draft Code include provisions to ensure equality in media opportunities.