No broadcast moratorium for Irish general elections

The broadcasting moratorium rule imposed on TV and radio stations in the Republic of Ireland for general elections is to be scrapped and replaced with new requirements.

Previously, the rule meant television and radio stations were restricted from broadcasting any information which could influence the vote from 14:00 local time on the day before polling day until polling stations closed.

The media regulator Coimisiún na Meán announced on Friday that the moratorium, which has been in place since 1997, is being replaced with an “additional care requirement”.

It is widely expected that an Irish general election will be called later this year.

The moratorium rule restricts what can be broadcast during election polling times

This decision follows a review of the moratorium rule conducted by Coimisiún na Meán which commenced in February this year.

Some broadcasters had previously called for the moratorium to be removed, with many saying it did not reflect the current media landscape in that online media outlets were not forced to stop reporting on an election the day before.

Broadcasters are now required to show additional care during what Coimisiún na Meán described as the "critical election period".

During that period, Coimisiún na Meán said broadcasters should “treat with extreme care information relating to the election that it believes, or has reason to believe, has been circulated with the intention of misleading or confusing voters or that is likely to mislead or confuse voters.”

The regulator said the implementation of the "additional care" requirement is at the editorial discretion of the broadcaster, and may include the broadcasters rebutting or correcting misconceptions arising from misleading information.

They added that broadcasters should take additional care to ensure that the opinions expressed by programme contributors do not interfere with the electoral process "by making a false or misleading claim with respect to election procedures".

Broadcasters are also asked not to report on opinion polls or exit polls during polling hours.