be identified as such in order to ensure that voters are aware that the advertisement is not news, but is a paid broadcast. 33. Unbiased coverage by the media From the commitment established by Paragraph 7.8 of the Copenhagen Document, it also follows that political parties and candidates should be covered in an unbiased manner by the media. State-owned media, whether print or broadcast, have a special responsibility to provide balanced and impartial information. There must be equal and fair access to state-owned media, as well as balanced coverage of candidates and political parties. Access and coverage must be measured not only in quantity but also in quality of coverage dedicated to candidates, political parties, the election administration, and other relevant subjects in news programmes and reports. Expedited complaint procedures and spe- Bias in the media during election campaigns is a cific remedies should be provided to correct common occurrence observed in ODIHR EOMs. Bias the effects of biased and unfair amounts of in state-owned or -controlled media generally facoverage. Further, the legal framework reg- vours incumbent governments; bias in private meulating the media and the campaign during dia generally favours the particular party with which election processes should be consistent with the owner or editor can be associated. At the same time, journalists working for independent news outprinciples set forth by international law in lets are frequently intimidated and practise self-centhe field of freedom of expression. Norms sorship during elections. Also, registration and distriregulating the media during the election bution of newspapers is sometimes limited during campaign should be clear and leave no room an election period and, in some places, entire printfor manipulation or misinterpretation. Such runs of newspapers have been confiscated. Accusaregulation should be aimed primarily at tions of slander or libel are used against journalists, media outlets, and candidates alike to silence them protecting voters’ and candidates’ right to during election campaigns or sometimes in the case freedom of expression and access to infor- of candidates, to prevent their candidacy, particularmation, and should be imposed only for this ly in countries where slander is a criminal offence. purpose. The regulatory body for the media during elections should be perceived to be independent, credible, and legitimate by most competing political forces. The body supervising media coverage may be any of the following: a self-regulatory body, such as the voluntary press councils that exist in a number of States; a permanent media regulatory body that would work autonomously or jointly with the election administration; a body specifically created for the election period to regulate and supervise media coverage only during the election campaign; or the main election administration body, such as the central electoral commission. The implementing body should have the experience, the know-how and the mandate to monitor respect of the rules, to investigate alleged violations, and to impose effective remedies when violations take place. 34. Campaign environment Genuine competition and meaningful debate of distinct political ideas are important for creating public confidence in elections. This is recognized by Paragraph 7.7 of the Copenhagen Document, which requires States to “ensure that law and public policy work to permit political campaigning to be conducted in a fair and free atmosphere in which neither administrative action, violence nor intimidation bars the parties and the candidates from freely presenting their views and qualifications, or prevents the voters from learning and discussing them or from casting their vote free of fear of retribution”. This commitment obliges States to create Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation 11