Press Releases 2009

 

 

BCI ISSUES REFERENDUM GUIDELINES IN ADVANCE OF LISBON TREATY VOTE
 

5th August 2009

 

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has today (Wednesday 5th August) issued its guidelines for commercial, community, institutional and temporary broadcasters, in advance of the forthcoming Treaty of Lisbon Referendum.  The guidelines take effect from this Friday, 7th August 2009.

 

Two changes have been made to the guidelines, in comparison with those issued for previous referenda.  These changes were implemented following consideration of the guidelines by the BCI Board and they are intended to clarify the means by which broadcasters allocate airtime during the period when the guidelines are in operation.  

 

Firstly, the guidelines clarify that there is no requirement to allocate an absolute equality of airtime to opposing sides of the Referendum debate during editorial coverage. The guidelines require broadcasters to ensure that the proportion of airtime allocated to opposing sides must be fair to all interests and undertaken in a transparent manner. Secondly, the guidelines clarify the requirement to ensure that the total time allocated to political party broadcasts will result in equal airtime being afforded to parties that support the Referendum proposals and those that oppose them. While broadcasters are under no obligation to carry political party broadcasts, those that do must comply with the guidelines. 

 

In line with BCI policy, a moratorium on coverage of the Referendum will come into effect from 12.01am on the morning of the 1st October until close of polls on 2nd October. During this period broadcast output must not include material which relates directly to the content of the Treaty of Lisbon and/or the constitutional amendments associated with the Treaty. This includes material pertaining to the merits or de-merits of the Treaty and/or the constitutional amendments.

 

Speaking about the guidelines, Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BCI said
“The objective of the BCI guidelines is to ensure fair, impartial and objective coverage of events and issues related to the Referendum and the clarifications included in the guidelines are intended to support this objective.”

 

A copy of the BCI Treaty of Lisbon Referendum Guidelines is available on the Commission’s web-site or on request from the Commission at 01 6441200.

 

To access a copy of the BCI Treaty of Lisbon Referendum Guidelines please choose from one of the links below:

 

BCI Treaty of Lisbon Referendum Guidelines 2009

 

Treoirlínte maidir le tuairisciú ar An Reifreann ar Chonradh Liospóin 2009

 

 

-ENDS-

 

Media Queries to:

Suzanne Sullivan                           or                                           Aoife Clabby
Q4 Public Relations                                                                      BCI
01 4751444/086 3797291                                                           01 6441200