New rules to allow MEP candidates to advertise on radio stations

National radio stations will be able to air adverts for information meetings organised by MEP candidates following a decision by the Broadcasting Authority.

The stations have been authorised to provide paid airtime to candidates for a trial period during February.

But do not worry about political advertising overload because these adverts will be restricted to two particular hourly slots per day.

The BA said in a statement on Monday this was “the first time, preceding an election” that radio stations have been authorised to take on paid adverts from candidates.

The authority will review the scheme after the first month and decide whether to extend it until the May European Parliament election.

So far, radio stations have been barred from taking on political advertising.

The scheme is governed by strict conditions and the BA has urged everyone to make use of it diligently so that it could be renewed.

“If the scheme works well, with everyone’s cooperation, there is a greater possibility that it would be renewed for the following months. Abuse and strategic manoeuvring, amongst other things, that undermine the scope and spirit of this initiative, certainly do not help,” the BA said.

The stations will have to establish a “fair and transparent procedure” to determine the order by which the adverts will be broadcast.

Scheme conditions

• Adverts will have to be candidate oriented and not originate from the political parties
• Every advertisement cannot be longer than 30 seconds
• Adverts can be aired only between 9am and 10am and 6pm and 7pm
• Each candidate is allowed one advert per hour
• If the scheme is renewed advertising shall stop at midnight on Thursday 23 May
• Station cannot use their editorial policy to discriminate between one candidate and another