Some countries have statutory or constitutional bodies that are charged with regulating the media, or some section of it. It is a type of structure that is more typical of civil law than common law systems. Usually what it entails is some system of registration of publications, as well as broadcasters, and sometimes of journalists as well. This type of approach is generally opposed by media practitioners, who take the view that only the profession itself is competent to decide who can practise. It is a short step from registering publications or practitioners to licensing them - with all the negative implications that that would carry for media independence and the right to freedom of expression.
However, constitutional bodies may sometimes be charged with protecting the independence of the media, including the publicly owned media, from the government of the day. This, for example, is the role of the National Media Commission in Ghana. Where a regulatory body genuinely does play this role, it may be well placed to help to supervise the media in elections.
