BBC RELEASE ELECTION PROGRAMME GUIDELINES

THE BBC have released a document which sets out guidance for BBC programme-makers during the forthcoming General Election.
Endorsed by the BBC’s executive committee and the Governors, the guidelines, developed by the BBC’s Editorial Policy Department in conjunction with journalists and programme-makers throughout the corporation, aim to ensure balance and fairness during the campaign.
The document also highlights significant changes since the 1997 election, including devolution and the growth of online services, and it provides specific guidelines on constituency reporting in the light of the abolition of Section 93 of the Representation of the People Act. These have been developed in conjunction with other broadcasters and regulators and will apply across the industry. They have already been tried and tested in elections to the Scottish Parliament National Assembly for Wales, Northern Ireland Assembly and the European Parliament where Section 93 of the RPA didn’t apply.
The specific areas covered in the guidelines are: achieving balance; minor parties; constituency reports; use of candidates in issue-based programmes and packages; devolution; online services; audience programmes; interviews with party leaders; reporting opinion polls and vox pops and e-mails
These guidelines are available online at www.bbc.co.uk/info/genelection. (CD)