Although the regulatory system will probably make some distinction between the publicly and privately-owned media, a number of aspects of the law or regulations governing the media in elections are likely to affect both sectors. These may include:

• an expedited procedure for hearing complaints against the media by the public or political parties.
• any regulations relating to the reporting of opinion polls.
• policies relating to "hate speech", defamation, media liability for the statements of politicians and other related issues.
• any policy on news blackouts before or during the election.
• journalists' right of access to election events.
• accreditation of journalists.
• provisions to ensure the safety of journalists.

The regulatory authority may place different obligations on the private and public media over matters such as whether they carry voter education or direct access materials. But the usual practice is that where the private media carry such coverage - even when they are not obliged to - they should conform to the same standards of equity and impartiality as the public media.