Icasa cautions on air time in run-up to local elections

THE country’s TV and radio stations have been cautioned against giving parties in government too much airtime before the local government polls on November 1.

The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) this week issued standards and guidelines on how licensed broadcasters must conduct themselves in the period leading up to the local government elections next month.

Icasa’s standards and guidelines state that radio and TV stations must recognise that government officials are in a position to use their incumbency to advance their preferred political parties’ electoral prospects.

“During the election period, BSLs (broadcasting service licensees) should regard with particular caution any statement or action by an official of an incumbent party.

“In particular, BSLs need to ensure that, during the election period, they do not afford the policies of incumbent parties or independent candidates greater legitimacy than they would afford those policies or actions if the party was not in government,” the communications authority stated.