Radio and TV broadcasters were reminded on Thursday of their obligation by law to “treat equally and without discrimination” all parties and candidates in the period leading up to the May 24 parliamentary elections.

The Radio-Television and Digital Services Authority said in a circular sent to the stations that the pre-election period means “three months before any elections”.

“The stations must treat equally and without discrimination, particularly during the pre-election period, the legislative and executive powers, every candidate and every political party, with the aim of providing substantive information to the people,” it said.

The authority acknowledged journalistic independence and freedom to decide their reporting, however it pointed out that during pre-election periods all radio and television organisations had a duty to secure polyphony, objective and spherical information, and equal treatment of parties and candidates.

“Practices that may lead to the restriction or exclusion of political formations and candidates from the public debate must be avoided,” it added.