“ensuring freedom of political debate in the media and guaranteeing that electoral campaigns are open and accessible and allow genuine debate that is not only of interest to voters but also informative for their choices. This requires, inter alia, transparency and pluralism of all media as well as equal access of all candidates and political parties to, and impartiality of, the public service media. Any national regulations on election campaigns should strike a fair balance between freedom of expression and ensuring equal opportunities;”
Paragraph 8.1.8 addresses important issues concerning election campaigns and media freedom. Freedom of expression and information through the media is a necessary condition for informed elections in a democracy. All recent election observation reports of the Parliamentary Assembly have noted serious problems with regard to the freedom of political debate in the media.