TV3 Seeks End To Election Day Moratorium

From midnight on the day before the election, and on election day itself, all campaigning and campaign coverage on the airwaves, both TV and radio, ceases.

The code is being proposed once again for this year's vote by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, but now TV3 says it will challenge its legality.

The BAI says the moratorium allows for a period of reflection, and ensures there is "fairness, objectivity and impartiality... in this critical period".

But TV3's director of news says the rule "underestimates the intelligence of viewers who are more than capable of deciphering political messages, even on election day".

He also points out that the ban on coverage does not apply to print or internet journalism.