INFORMATION ACTIVITIES OF OUTSIDE BODIES
32. The Government have considered whether any special arrangements are needed either to limit or to assist activities by outside bodies and individuals designed to inform the public of their views on the issues involved in the referendum. Little assistance can be derived from the precedent of Parliamentary elections in which the main control is on any expenditure designed to secure the election of a particular candidate. Expenditure by, for example, the national party organisations, which cannot be related to the campaign of any particular candidate, is uncontrolled. The Government approach this difficult area with no desire to limit traditional freedom of speech but rather with a desire to see that both sides of the case are known to the public and that public interest in the issues is stimulated.
Television and Radio
33. The Government are confident that the IBA and BBC will exercise editorial discretion designed to ensure that there is a fair balance between the opposing views in news and feature programmes. The broadcasting authori- ties may also decide to run a series of short "referendum broadcasts." In this way an equal number of short periods of broadcasting time would be made available to the two main campaigning organisations in the two or three weeks before polling day. The Government would welcome such an initiative.
34. The television programme companies of the IBA are forbidden by statute from accepting political advertising. This prohibition applies also to independent local radio.
Other Activities
35. There is concern that the organisations favouring one course will have greater resources than those favouring another. It is already clear that any such imbalance, if it exists, is not preventing both sides from obtaining wide coverage of their views. The Government are convinced that any attempt to limit total expenditure by the two sides would be impracticable-- not least because it could apply only after legislation had received Royal Assent.
36. The Government believe however that it is a matter of legitimate public interest to know how much money has been spent on the campaign. by major organisations and interests and the sources of their income. Al- though this can be known only after the event, it could exercise a restraining influence. The Government are therefore considering how far it is possible to require that this information should be disclosed.
37. Careful consideration has been given to the possibility of banning or limiting certain activities in order to ensure fair play. The Government consider that restrictions and requirements which apply to the conduct of a general election campaign should as far as practicable apply to the referen- dum; these will include, for example, a ban on the employment of paid canvassers and a requirement that all campaign literature, posters etc should bear the name and address of the sponsoring organisations.
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