GUIDELINES on media coverage of the district council elections in November could be amended, according to the Electoral Affairs Commission chairman.
Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing said restrictions on broadcasters and columnists were imposed to promote a fair election.
The commission proposed last Monday that broadcasters and columnists standing for election - or whose political parties have members running - stop appearing in programmes and contributing articles during campaigns to avoid unfair publicity. But the proposal was met with criticism that the commission was trying to restrict freedom of speech.
'This is not an attack on the media. I am someone responsible for the election, so it's my job to ensure a fair one,' Mr Justice Woo said during a Metro radio call-in programme yesterday.
A caller asked why newspapers would be allowed to keep running editorials or letters to the editor which might promote or prejudice candidates or parties.
Mr Justice Woo said newspapers were not strictly bound by the guidelines because readers could decide whether to buy newspapers or not. But broadcasting on the air was different, he said.
'The air belongs to the public. They would surely agree radio programmes have a much more far-reaching effect than any media,' Mr Justice Woo said.
