Did You Know … French Election Media Blackouts

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Two days before the French Election, there is a media blackout for anything political.

This is supposed to provide a few days of uninterrupted consideration of the candidates, without the distraction of big news headlines, scandalous revelations, or campaigning last minute.

Similar things are done in other countries.

In the UK, for example, on the day of an election news can’t be about anything that could potentially favor a particular party. The parliament, as soon as it is dissolved before an election, enters a state of “purdah” (a Persian word for “curtain”) and can’t announce any controversial or contentious legislation.

Spain, although it does not have a media blackout, does have a “reflection” period after official campaigning ends the day before the election, and no more electoral acts are performed. They also forbid news to publish polls in the week leading up to an election.