[cr-india] Political Advertisements on Radio allowed - PIB press release

[sajan venniyoor]

On 11/24/08, Arti Jaiman <arti at trfindia.org> wrote:

> The order does not specifically mention the rules for CR. Any idea what
> they are?
>
> That's a tricky one. Does the phrase 'Private FM Channels' in the Election
Commission's order (see below) include community radio? If it includes CR,
then the rules would be the same. (Clause 8(ii) of the CR Guidelines states
that "limited advertising and announcements relating to local events, local
businesses and services and employment opportunities shall be allowed." One
can assume that local elections are 'local events', if not local business
and employment opportunities).

However, please note that AIR's amendment to their Advertising Code (
http://www.allindiaradio.org/csumumbai/code.html) includes political ads
relating to Lok Sabha, State Assembly and Local Body elections, while the EC
order mentions only Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.

Here's the text of the Election Commission order dated 21 November 2008

Sajan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Election Commission of India

Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi - 110001



No: 509/75/2004/JS.I/Vol.II/RCC/ dated 21 November 2008



ORDER



Sub: The Commission's order dated 15th April 2004, regarding advertisements
on political nature on TV Channels and Cable TV Networks - Extension to
Radio



1. The Commission vide its order No. 509/75/2004/JS.I dated 15th April,
2004, in pursuance of the order dated 13.4.2004 of the Hon'ble Supreme Court
in SLP(Civil) No. 6679/2004(Ministry of I&B Vs M/s Gemini TV and Others),
issued directions regarding advertisements of political nature on t.V
Channels & Cable T.V. Networks.



2. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has, vide their letter
No.1/04/2004-BC.IV dated 20th November, 08, informed that clause II(4) of
the Code for Commercial Advertising on All India Radio has been amended by
adding the following proviso:-



"But advertisements in the form of spots and jingles on payment of
prescribed fees, from political parties/candidates/any other person shall be
accepted only in respect of General Elections to Lok Sabha/General Election
to the State Assembles/General Election to Local bodies during the period
when the Model Code of Conduct is in force. Such advertisement shall be
subject to pre-broadcast scrutiny by the Election Commission of
India/authorities under the Election Commission of India in respect of
elections to Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies and State Election
Commission in case of Local bodies."



3. In view of the above, the Commission has directed that its order dated
15th April, 2004, regarding advertisements of political nature on TV
channels/ Cable Networks shall apply to advertisements on Radio also,
including Private FM Channels, during the period Model Code of Conduct is in
operation in connection with general election to the House of the People or
to the Legislative Assembly of any State/UT. Accordingly, for broadcasting
any advertisement of political nature on Radio, application for
certification for broadcast shall be submitted to the Committee set up in
the office of the Chief Election Officer of the State concerned for
pre-broadcast scrutiny and certification permitting broadcast of the
advertisement. The application shall be submitted in the same format as the
one prescribed vide the order dated 15.4.2004 for advertisement on TV
Channel/ Cable Networks, along with the Tape/ CD and an attested transcript
of the proposed advertisement. The format for verification of advertisement
shall also be the same as that prescribed in the order dated 15.4.2004. The
reference to 'telecast' in these formats shall be read to include
'broadcast' for the purpose of advertisements on Radio.



4. It is clarified that all other directions and the conditions specified in
the order dated 15th April 2004, and the subsequent instructions on the
subject shall apply in the case of advertisements of political nature on
Radio.



By order,

K.F.Wilfred

Secretary

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On 11/24/08, Arti Jaiman <arti at trfindia.org> wrote:
>
> The order does not specifically mention the rules for CR. Any idea what
> they are?
>
> Arti
>
> Arti Jaiman Project Manager: TRF Radio arti at trfindia.org www.trfindia.org
> www.jaiman.org www.pitara.com
>
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