The basic considerations and guidelines for reporting before votes also apply by analogy to reporting before elections.

With the aim of ensuring appropriate and fair reporting on candidates and parties, the regional units establish specific rules that are adapted to their regional context. They communicate these rules in a transparent manner to the parties and candidates in good time. In doing so, they also distinguish between proportional representation and majority voting systems. In the case of national elections, the key parameters and deadlines are coordinated between the regional units. The specific details may vary depending on the respective regional circumstances. In the case of cantonal and municipal elections, the relevant rules are established at regional level.

We do not offer parties a one-sided platform during election campaigns. Before national elections, individual appearances by candidates in news and current affairs, entertainment, cultural and sports programmes must be agreed with the senior editorial management during the heated election campaign phase. During this period, as before votes, particular editorial standards apply to all discussion formats, talk shows and individual appearances by key figures.

Throughout the election campaign, care must be taken to ensure diverse and fair representation, which is also based on whether a party has parliamentary groups in parliament. In the final phase before an election, individual appearances by candidates that would provide them with a one-sided platform are no longer permitted, except in the case of highly relevant news. The same rules apply to cantonal and local elections.

In the case of second rounds of voting, which usually take place shortly after the first round, the deadlines are set in consultation with the senior editorial management.

Special rules apply to the admission of parties and candidates to election broadcasts. The criteria are journalistic and political relevance (e.g. previous balance of power).

If the number of participants in election panel discussions has to be limited  for media-specific reasons and in the audience’s interest, this is permissible. The exclusion criteria must be objective and transparent (e.g. a party with a small number of seats in parliament). Candidates excluded from the panel discussion should at least be mentioned there if possible.