Electoral Commission Issues Media Rules for Coverage of St. Philip By-Election
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission has issued media guidelines governing coverage and political advertising ahead of the St. Philip by-election scheduled for March 16, 2026.
The rules, issued under the Representation of the People Act, are intended to ensure political parties and candidates receive fair access to media platforms during the campaign period.
According to the commission, radio and television stations operating in Antigua and Barbuda must not prevent any political party or nominated candidate from broadcasting material promoting their candidacy in the by-election.
The guidelines also state that print media outlets must not block or refuse to publish campaign material intended to promote a candidate contesting the St. Philip seat.
Media organizations are further instructed not to alter or distort campaign material submitted for broadcast or publication.
In addition, the commission says radio and television stations must charge no more than their normal hourly advertising rate for campaign material, a measure intended to ensure candidates are able to access airtime at affordable rates.
The commission warned that any radio station, television station, print media outlet or staff member who violates the rules commits an offence.
Those found guilty on summary conviction could face a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
The St. Philip by-election is scheduled to take place on March 16, 2026.
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Imagine if this was the case 15 years ago.
RALLYING CALL #12
I know, that was quick, but this ABLP government keeps feeding me with more ammo to discredit them. Beautiful, just beautiful!
I’m not only well read, but we’ll travelled as well, so hear this:
In many democratic countries whenever a by-election or General Election is called, strict media coverage are correctly put in place for the major political parties who are contesting, so that an equal media coverage is strictly adhered to, so that the voting public are allowed to make up their own minds.
Media outlets are fined or can lose their broadcasting licences.
Sounds fair enough right?
So imagine my disdain when I decided to tune into a well known media outlet to see if there was a fair and balanced political viewpoint with the St Phillip’s North by-election on the horizon.
ABLP’S representative for SPN Randy Baltimore was well highlighted about his policies, and what he wanted to achieve for his constituents. Baltimore was well promoted in this one-sided party political broadcast, the only thing they forgot to do was to tickle he belly and grease he foot.
Once the interviewer had finished, I expected that UPP’s Alex Browne was going to be given equal air time as well, but there was nothing said about him or the UPP that he represents. In fact the newscaster went onto a totally different news item.
With this media bias and propaganda, no wonder ABLP ah run tings…
Constituents of SPN remember on the 16th of March the future SOUL OF OUR COUNTRY is in your hands.
RALLYING CALL #13 will be with you soon…
Safe and Secure with RANDY BALTIMORE 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
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