The Broadcasters' Liaison Group was formed in 1997 and comprises of representatives of each of the broadcasters who make airtime available to registered political parties and to designated organisations in referendum campaigns.
Each broadcaster is responsible for deciding the allocations made available to a political party. However, through the BLG, broadcasters work together with the Electoral Commission to ensure a consistent approach.
Meetings of the BLG are chaired by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Chief Adviser, Politics.
The group meets from time to time to co-ordinate the criteria which each broadcaster applies in determining the amount of airtime to be made available.
Broadcasting opportunities made available to political parties fall into three categories:
- Party Election Broadcasts (PEBs), which are offered to qualifying political parties, registered with the Electoral Commission, in the run-up to elections
- Party Political Broadcasts (PPBs)
- Ministerial Broadcasts, which, in exceptional circumstance, are offered to the government followed normally, by responses by the main opposition parties.
Member Organisations
Ric Bailey
Chief Adviser, Politics
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Editorial Policy
Wogan House
1st Floor
99 Great Portland Street
London
W1A 1AA
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ makes airtime available at general and European elections. In the Nations, airtime is made available for elections to devolved institutions and for local government.
Mark Sunderland
Head of Legal Compliance - News, Current Affairs and Sport
200 Gray's Inn Road
London
WC1X 8HF
Tel: 07770 701 352
The ITV regions make airtime available at general elections, European elections and local government elections. Airtime is also made available to the major parties for Party Political Broadcasts. ITV1 Wales also makes airtime available at elections to the Welsh Assembly and for local government elections in Wales.
Joan Darroch
Head of Compliance
Pacific Quay
Glasgow
G51 1PQ
Tel: 0141 300 3311
STV makes airtime available for [4 X seasonal broadcasts] to the Scottish Parliament and for local government elections in Scotland in addition to the commitments of the ITV Network. In addition to the commitments of the Ch3 Network, STV carries Party Election Broadcasts (“PEBs”), Party Political Broadcasts (“PPBs”), Referendum Campaign Broadcasts ("RCBs") and Local Election Broadcasts in Scotland.
Chris Hagan
Editor of News
City Quays 2
7 Clarendon Road
Belfast
BT1 3BG
Tel: 028 90 262000
In addition to the commitments of the ITV network, UTV makes airtime available at elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly and for local government elections in Northern Ireland
Meriem Anou
Legal & Compliance
124 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 2TX
Tel: 020 7396 4444
Channel Four makes airtime available at general elections. In addition airtime is also made available to the major parties and the main minor parties through ‘The Political Slot', 16 of which are allocated annually.
Kathryn Richardson
17-29 Hawley Crescent
London
NW1 8TT
Tel: 020 3580 3399
Channel 5 makes airtime available at general elections and European elections.
Peter Lowe
Assistant Editor
Sky News
Grant Way
Isleworth
Middlesex
TW7 5QD
Tel: 020 7585 4418
Sky News makes airtime available on a voluntary basis at general elec
Iestyn Morris
Head of Legal and Business
S4C
S4C Headquarters: Yr Egin
Carmarthen
Wales
SA31 3EQ
Phone: +44(0)3305 880466
S4C makes airtime available at general elections and European elections, elections to National Assembly for Wales and for local government elections.
Absolute Radio, in line with a number of other national commercial radio stations, carries campaign broadcasts during general election and referendum campaigns.
Classic FM carries Party Election Broadcasts (‘PEBs”) for general elections and Referendum Campaign Broadcasts (“RCBs”) for UK referendums
talkSPORT, in line with a number of other national commercial radio stations, carries campaign broadcasts during general election and referendum campaigns.
Niki Nixon
Head of External Communications
The Electoral Commission
3 Bunhill Row
London, EC1Y 8YZ
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 requires the proposed criteria for Party Election Broadcasts to be sent to the Electoral Commission for comment. They attend BLG meetings as an observer.