Non-party campaigners: UK Parliamentary general elections
Press conferences and media events
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.
Cost of press conferences or other dealings with the media
Cost of press conferences or other dealings with the media
This includes the cost of purchase, use or hire of any:
- agency, individual or organisation
- services provided by any agency, individual or organisation
- equipment
- premises or facilities
used to prepare, produce, facilitate or conduct press conferences or other media events.
Other costs
It includes the costs of any rights or licensing fee for any image used in preparation, production, facilitating or conducting press conferences or other media events.
It includes the cost of purchase and use of any equipment in connection with preparation, production, facilitating or conducting press conferences or other media events.
Press releases
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.
There is an exemption for content included in a newspaper or periodical other than advertisements. Please see The production or publication of material for more information.
Example
An organisation runs a campaign focused on animal welfare. At the announcement of a UK Parliamentary general election, they compare the main political parties’ existing and proposed policies on animal welfare in the UK 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 UKPGE.
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 considered 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 counts as a regulated campaign activity.