The role of the BBC and other broadcasters in UK referendums

1. The role of the BBC and other broadcasters in UK referendums Presented by Nigel Smith, VoxScot in Tel Aviv, 21st April 2004

2. Preface • I have no experience of restricted constituency referendums like the Nationalist Party in SA or the current one in the Likud party. • a UK Party referendum would certainly present a new challenge to British broadcasters • But most likely treat it some special way along the lines I am going to explain • RTE and BBC lead public service broadcasters • 8 major in UK and over 30 in Ireland • still evolving

3. What do I mean by a referendum? • Fairly conducted In a modern democracy • Dealing with a major issue • No contending elections or referendums • Allowing a Single issue debate • Then the median vote decides

4. The Median Vote in UK euro referendum

5. Opinion formation in referendums • Enough time for fair debate • Adequate information • Better after foundation political event • Early and late deciders • Media coverage spills out • Intellectual or intuitive decision • TV especially important

6. List 25 major referendums …. • And what happened in the campaigns

7. Opinion swings during referendum campaigns

8. Referendum Campaigns work • May consolidate opinion • More often changes opinion • Swings usually more than in elections • Introduce a note of caution about change

9. The principal channels of communication • Newspapers • Broadcasting • Word of mouth - intermediated by above • Other means inc direct official mailings

10. Newspapers in referendums • Most will have an editorial preference • Many will cover both sides but unequally • Some will propagandise for only one side Result Many voters excluded from fair debate

11. Media law & Regulation • Broadly same media law & regulation • Except Broadcasting required • to be “fair and impartial” newspapers need not • Not just in referendums but all the time Result • Voters 4 or 5 times more likely to “trust” the information from Broadcasters

12. Broadcasters in referendums • No editorial position • Duty to strike an 50:50 balance • between sides not between political parties • In effect the rules of “fair & impartial” are tightened in a referendum

13. Types of referendum broadcasting • Political advertising • Sponsored programmes • Neutral Commission & Participation ads • Free Referendum campaign broadcasts • General coverage

14. First the 50:50 rule in General coverage • Equality of opportunity not of effect • Bad presentation wastes the opportunity • Balance is subjective professional judgement • Not decided by stop watch though it may inform decisions • Each programme strand must strike the balance over a month initially then over a week

15. Specific practical issues • Polls & stats • Voxpops & emails • Panels and audiences • Contributors & decliners • Independent experts • Upping profiles • Active campaigners • Presentation Versus Debates

16. Specific problems • Countering News value of PM and Cabinet • Role of Government machine & taxpayers money • Desire of media to make exciting programmes • Tendency to use established politicians • Risk of top slicing • Despite these problems • It works … UK broadcasters broadly give us fair referendums