General Principles of Media Coverage of Elections

(1) Broadcasters, within all their programmes, and printed Media founded by public authorities are required to observe the principles of fairness, accountability, balance and impartiality while covering the elections.

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

(3) Public broadcasters shall allocate free airtime to electoral competitors in a fair and non-discriminatory manner, based on objective and transparent principles.

(4) Media service providers shall not adopt privileged treatment towards electoral competitors due to their social status and/or the positions held by their candidates.

(5) During the electoral period, public broadcasters and printed Media shall make clear distinction in their journalistic materials between fulfilling the official duties and the electoral activity carried out by persons who do not fall under Article 13(3).

(6) The aggrieved electoral competitors and/or their candidates shall have the right of reply. The written request on granting the right of reply shall be lodged to the Media service provider within two calendar days after the broadcasting/publication of the information. In case of broadcasters, the refusal to grant the right of reply may be challenged with the Audiovisual Coordinating Council, and in case of printed Media – in Courts. The right of reply shall be granted within 3 calendar days following the submission of the request/appeal, but no later than the day preceding the Election Day, under similar conditions with those when their legitimate rights have been infringed.

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