Broadcast on All India Radio by individuals will not permit:

• Criticism of friendly countries
• Attack on religions or communities
• Anything obscene or defamatory
• Incitement to violence or anything against maintenance of law & order
• Anything amounting to contempt of court
• Aspersions against the integrity of the President, Governors and the Judiciary.
• Attack on a political party by name
• Hostile criticism of any State or the Center
• Anything showing disrespect to the Constitution or advocating change in the Constitution by violence; but advocating changes in a constitutional way should not be debarred.
• Appeal for funds except for the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund, at a time of External Emergency or if the Country is faced with a natural calamity such a floods, earthquake or cyclone.
• Direct publicity for or on behalf of an individual or organization which is likely to benefit only that individual or organization.
• Trade names in broadcasts which amount to advertising directly (except in Commercial Services).

Footnote :

• The code applies to criticism in the nature of personal tirade either of a friendly Government or of political party or of the Central Government or any State Government. But it does not debar reference to and/or dispassionate discussion of policies pursued by any of them.
• If a Station Director finds that the above Code has not been respected in any particular by an intending broadcaster he will draw the latters attention to the passage objected to. If the intending broadcaster refuses to accept the Station Directors suggestions and modify his accordingly, the Station Director will be justified in refusing his or her broadcast.
• Cases of unresolved differences of opinion between a Minister of State Government and the Station Director about the interpretation of the Code with regard to a talk to be broadcast by the former will be referred to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India who will decide finally whether or not any change in the text of the talk is necessary in order to avoid violation of the Code.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR TELEVISION/RADIO BROADCASTS IN CONNECTION WITH ELECTIONS

The Election Commission (EC) recognises the significance of television and radio in the coverage of elections. Their reach is widespread and impact substantial. On the one hand, the electronic media can be misused to favour one party or another. But on the other hand, the EC recognises that electronic media can, if used properly be an important source of information for voters across the country. It can provide the widest first hand education for voters on political parties, their symbols, various leaders and different issues in the election. This is why electronic media all over the world is the single biggest source of information of voters in terms of debates, campaign, coverage etc.

It is essential therefore that a model code of conduct is established for electronic media both to ensure that it is not misused as well as to ensure that it be used in the best interest of democracy and the voter.

Listed below are the Dos and Donts for election coverage on electronic media.

DONTs

• There should be no coverage of any election speeches or other material that incites violence, against one religion, against one language, against one group etc.
• In any constituency, only one candidate should not be projected. While it is not necessary to cover every single candidate (as some constituencies may have several candidates), at least the more important candidates should be covered in any reports from a constituency.
• The following could be covered in a balanced and fair manner:-
  • Campaigning and excerpts from campaign speeches.
  • Symbols, banners, flags and other campaign materials of parties.
  • Results of opinion polls by non-political, professional organisations with a proven track record.
  • Party manifestoes (critical analysis of which is also perfectly legitimate.)
  • Candidates and their views in different constituencies across the country.
  • The positions taken by the main parties on different issues important to the electorate.
  • Debates between major parties and candidates.
  • Analysis of previous voting patterns, victory margins, swings etc.
• By a balanced and fair it is meant that among the major political parties:-
  • No political parties should be given substantially more coverage than others. The ‘balance’ need not be achieved in any single day or in a single story, but over a reasonable period of time, say one week.
  • Balance does not mean each party must get exactly the same air time to the last second, but parties should be given broadly the same amount of time.
  • Balance implies that to no reasonable person should it appear that one political party is being projected to the exclusion of others.
• Procedures:
  • All producers must record a copy of their programme off air for use as reference in case of any disputes.
  • The EC shall be the final arbiter in any dispute.
• The final interpretation of any disputed passage or story should be with
  • The Election Commission .In Case of disagreement with the broadcaster, one authority could be nominated by the Election Commission who could take a decision immediately when approached.

*Subsequent clarifications-

Opinion/Gallop Polls are not to be published/broadcast during the period 48hrs before each phase of polling till the completion of the phase of polling.

Exit poll results are not to be published/broadcast before the completion of each phase of polling.