![[image] logo](/common/graphics/common/spacer.gif){kind=small}
Press Office
The publicity site of Sky News
for journalists and PRs
![[text] RSS](/common/graphics/common/rss_orange.gif){kind=small}
Sky News Radio Issues Election Guide to UK Commercial Radio Stations
Issued: March 11, 2010
With the strong possibility of a General Election in May, Sky News radio has produced a guide for commercial radio newsrooms on election coverage. Prepared by Sky News Radio for IRN, it is being sent to nearly 300 IRN client stations.
The guide covers topics such as:
• the obligations on due impartiality
• constituency reports
• definitions of major parties in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• rules on presenters and phone-ins
• Polling Day
Andy Ivy, IRN Editor and Executive Producer of Sky News Radio said: “A General Election always raises questions about what can and can’t be done during the campaign. We have incorporated details from Ofcom and the Electoral Commission to clarify the requirements and pitfalls”.
Tim Molloy, Managing Director of IRN said: “As a free update, the IRN Election Guide is essential reading for news editors and programme controllers who wish to avoid any regulatory mishaps in their election coverage.”
Last year, Sky News Radio became the sole supplier of national news to all of the UK’s commercial radio stations - more than 300 stations - reaching around 31 million listeners across all four UK nations.
The service provides a mixture of a live radio bulletin service delivered direct from the Sky News Centre, through to recorded packages that stations can include in their own bulletins, or a ‘rip and read’ service of scripts and audio.
-Ends-
For further information please contact:
Anna Bifield
Acting Publicity Manager Sky News
Tel: 0207 800 4341
Mob: 07824 824 834
Notes to editors:
Sky News and skynews.com
Since its launch in 1989, Sky News has established itself as a formidable and innovative force in the world of news broadcasting. It now provides news to around 145 million people in 36 countries in Europe alone, with distribution across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Valued for fairness, balance and journalistic objectivity by both viewers and regulators, the award-winning channel has also earned a reputation for the speed of its 24-hour coverage and flexibility in reporting live news – first.
In addition to its status as one of Europe's leading 24 hour news channels, skynews.com is one of the fastest growing websites on the continent. It is also available on mobile phones, on desktops, on UK rail platforms and Virgin Atlantic flights.
In March 2009 Sky News Radio became the sole provider of national and international news to all commercial stations in the UK – reaching around 31 million listeners in total – when it took over the contract to supply IRN stations, in addition to its existing clients.
Sky News won a Golden Nypmh at the 2009 Monte Carlo Television Festival for Best 24 Hour News Programme for its coverage of the Mumbai terror attacks. Sky News was also named Best News Service at the Broadcast Digital Awards 2009 and Skynews.com won the Association of Online Publishers award for website of the year, 2008.
About IRN
Established since 1973 IRN supplies virtually all of the UK commercial radio market with national and international news feeds - over 300 stations. The service includes hourly news bulletins 24/7 in addition to regular feeds of news cuts, cues and scripts, programme packages covering main news, sport, showbiz, money and environment.
IRN is funded by advertising sold into news spots which are provided by stations in exchange for the news feeds. IRN aggregates the spots from each client station into one national package called Newslink - the leading radio network package which has a weekly reach of over 30 million listeners. The biggest spot is at 8 am on Monday when nearly 8 million listeners hear the same advert broadcast across 300 stations simultaneously.
In March 2009 Sky News Radio won the contract to become the lead supplier of the IRN service, providing a round the clock comprehensive radio news and web content packages. Other suppliers include the Press Association and Murf Media.
IRN is also responsible for a range of network services including: distribution of network programmes, local radio football rights, distributing press passes for royal events and providing news content to hospital radio, community radio, RSL stations and university stations.
Copyright ©2010 BSkyB