General principles of media coverage of elections

(1) Broadcasters, within all their talk-shows, and written media founded by public authorities are obliged to observe the principles of fairness, accountability, balance and impartiality while covering elections.

(2) Broadcasters and written media are obliged to provide equal, non-discriminatory conditions while granting airtime or advertisement space for electoral advertising.

(3) Public broadcasters will allocate free airtime to the candidates in a fair and non-discriminatory manner, based on objective and transparent criteria.

(4)The media service providers will not adopt privileged treatment towards candidates due to their social status and/or the positions held by its candidates.

(5) During the electoral period, public broadcasters and written media will make a clear distinction, in their journalistic materials, between ful!lling the official duties and the electoral activity carried out by persons who do not fall under article 13, paragraph (3).

(6) Candidate(s) who consider that their rights have been breached have the right of rejoinder. The written request on granting the right to rejoinder is submitted to the media service providers within 2 calendar days as of the broadcasting/publication of the information. In case of broadcasters, the refusal to grant the right to rejoinder may be challenged at the Audiovisual Coordinating Council, and in case of written media – at the electoral bodies. The right to rejoinder is granted within 3 calendar days as of the submission of the request/appeal, but not later than the day prior to the Election Day, under the same conditions their legitimate rights have been infringed.

(7) Media service providers are entitled to cover elections and to inform the public about all electoral issues, free from any interference from public authorities, candidates/candidates or other entities.