Broadcasters and newspaper columnists running for district council elections - or whose parties are standing - face being gagged during the campaign.
The proposal was contained in a new set of guidelines announced yesterday by the Electoral Affairs Commission to govern the polls in November.
Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, the commission chairman, said the proposal was to avoid unfair extra publicity for candidates or parties and organisations.
Presenters or columnists whose programmes or articles were not specifically on politics would also be prohibited, he said.
'It is not discretionary. Even if you work on a programme for kids, it would be equally troublesome if you gave a hint to the audience whom they should vote or which colour is better,' he said.
Mr Justice Woo admitted that it was difficult to define 'political party' or 'political organisation'.
'Of course there are grey areas. Candidates however should not be qualified to run if they don't know how they should operate frankly and honestly,' he said.
