Share and Follow
As Australia heads into the final days before the , political advertisements have disappeared from TV and radio.
That’s due to a long-standing media blackout law designed to give voters space to make up their minds before polling day.
But in the age of social media, it’s unlikely you’ll actually feel like you’re in a blackout — something that’s prompting questions about just how effective it really is.
Here’s what the election blackout laws cover, why they were introduced, and why some are now calling them a “relic” of the past.
What are the media blackout laws?
Just before every federal election, there’s a short window of peace and quiet before Australians head to the polls. Well, at least on our TVs and radios.
That’s because from 12am Thursday 1 May until polls close at 6pm on Saturday, broadcasters are banned from airing election ads.
This is called the media blackout period, and it applies to:
- Commercial TV and radio broadcasters
- Subscription television broadcasters
- And class-licensed services, like community TV or narrowcast radio.
According to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), the blackout provides a “cooling off period” so voters can make up their minds without last-minute media blitzes.
But if you still feel like you’re seeing ads everywhere, you’re not alone.
Why you’ll still be bombarded with political ads
The blackout period only applies to broadcast media, which means there are many platforms that are not restricted by it, including print media and online media.
The exemption includes:
- Social media (like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok)
- Streaming services (like YouTube or Spotify)
- News websites or newspapers
- Text messages and emails
‘A relic of the 1980s’
Free TV Australia, the industry body representing free-to-air TV, has labelled the election blackout a “relic of the 1980s”.
Free TV Australia CEO Bridget Fair told SBS News: “It’s completely out of step with today’s media landscape.”
“It’s absurd that broadcasters are banned from airing political ads in the final days before an election, while unregulated digital platforms are free to flood voters with content right up to — and including — polling day.”
Fair argued the rules are outdated given how many people now vote early.
“By election day, the majority of Australians will have already voted — many after seeing political ads on TV, online and everywhere in between. Yet somehow, traditional broadcasters are the only ones silenced,” she said.
AEC estimated more than 4.03 million people have already voted in this election, a 26 per cent jump since 2022.
Fair has called for reform on the blackout, saying it “serves no purpose in a digital world and only penalises regulated, responsible media”.
She said the system creates a regulatory loophole that “undermines transparency” and shifts influence and ad dollars to “unregulated tech giants”.
“Regulation must evolve with the times … especially during election periods when access to clear, trustworthy information is most vital to voters,” she said.
When asked for comment about their stance on the election blackout period, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said: “Any changes to the rules would be a matter for parliament to consider.”
So, does H Fong have to stop texting me?
The final stretch of this campaign has been defined by one guest in our phones: H Fong from the Trumpet of Patriots party.
Australians across the country have reported a deluge of texts from the party — even after blocking numbers and despite never signing up for any correspondence.
The AEC has confirmed these messages don’t breach election advertising rules and the blackout period doesn’t apply to them.
So, while the TV ads might be quieting down, your scroll — and your phone — probably won’t be.
For the latest from SBS News, and .
Visit the to access articles, podcasts and videos from SBS News, NITV and our teams covering more than 60 languages.
