Master class to analyse broadcast regulation for elections next month in Paris

17-02-2010 (Paris)

© Pilar Olivares, Reuters

An election is a test of political commitment to democracy in which both broadcasters and regulators play an important role. To explore this role, UNESCO and Albany Associates organize an international Master Class in Broadcast Regulation for Elections at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, from 24 to 26 March 2010.

This important event will explore the part that regulatory authorities and other stakeholders can and must play in upholding freedom of expression, while balancing the rights and responsibilities of broadcasters to report on the democratic process of elections.

To reach this goal, the course will focus on emerging issues, including broadcasting standards during election periods, the role of the broadcasting regulator, media monitoring and political advertising.

This three-day event is intended for broadcasting regulators, broadcast policy makers, public and private broadcasting companies, as well as for those who observe or study broadcasting and media regulation.

In particular, the course will cover:

• international and comparative law and standards;
  
• the importance of media during elections;
  
• the role of the private and public broadcasters;
  
• broadcast standards during elections;
  
• procedures for handling complaints;
  
• social networking technologies and the use of new media in elections, etc.

Albany Associates is a UK-based, internationally-focussed company consulting on media and telecommunications law and regulatory frameworks, advising on media infrastructure development, and providing professional training and institutional capacity building.