A press conference or media event will be considered regulated campaign activity if it is organised by you or on your behalf, and it meets the purpose test.
If you do not specifically invite the media to an open event you are holding, but the media attend anyway, it will not generally be regarded as a media event. However, it may be regarded as a public rally or event, where the laws apply.
If you hold a member-only event that you invite the media to, this will usually be a media event.
Examples include the costs of:
services provided by any agency, individual or organisation
equipment
premises or facilities
rights or licensing fees for images
used in connection with press conferences or other media events.
Press releases
The media will often ask organisations for comment on particular issues or events. If you are responding to queries from the media, any comment or statement made by you will not be considered a regulated campaign activity.
Press releases will not generally be considered regulated campaign activity if they are only sent to the media.
For example, an organisation runs a campaign focused on animal welfare. At the start of the regulated period for the Senedd election, they compare the main political parties’ existing and proposed policies on animal welfare in Wales in a press release. In their statement, they express support for two of the party’s policies and encourage the public to vote for these parties at the upcoming election.
The campaigner sends the press release to media outlets at first, and it is not made available anywhere else. As the press release is only shared with media outlets, this is not a regulated campaign activity.
A week later, the campaigner shares the press release on their website and social media accounts. As the content of the press release meets the purpose test, this is a regulated campaign activity.