Political Ad Blackout to be lifted?

Three days before either a Federal or State Election polling day, both Radio and Television stations go quiet with no political advertising allowed; that’s been the law for years.

But that may be about to change with some of the big election budgets hopefully going radio’s way instead of newspapers or even online.

The government has confirmed that it is reviewing the rules around elections according to The Australian.

All sides of the political game have exploited the rules, which currently allow for online advertising once the blackout comes into effect.

With Federal Government moves to deregulate, The Australian quotes a spokesperson from Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull office saying: “The election blackout regulation was made at a time when the only non-print forms of communication were television and radio”.

Under the current Broadcast Service Act of 1992, candidates and political parties cannot broadcast election commercials from midnight on the Wednesday before polling day but the current laws covered by ACMA do not cover websites or social streams.  

You can read the full story in The Australian.