Chapter 1: International Standards poses of electoral propaganda [in order to fall in line with internationally established standards for democratic elections].”297 Afghanistan’s electoral law also provides guidance on the role of the media during the electoral campaign period. The provisions deal with the access to unbiased and fair information for the public.298 Media outlets are encouraged to set up their own rules and codes of conduct to guarantee the respect of such principles in the coverage of an election.299 ii. Codes of conduct Adjudicatory bodies should have the power to adjudicate any offenses committed by or against the media during an election, providing an effective, predictable and timely enforceable remedy in case of violations of the media as envisaged in the Election Law.300 Some states provide for an independent media commission to assume such a role.301 For example, there has been an Independent Media Monitoring Commission organized under the auspices of the Guyana Election Commission since 2006.302 Media organizations agreed to the establishment of the Elections Media Monitoring Commission (MC) that handles “complaints about performance in the reporting and coverage of events during the election campaign.”303 The Commission has the power to sanction violations of the Code of Conduct and the establishment of such a mechanism has been very effective in changing the tone of media coverage. Means of accountability should be developed so that the “media is not used to distort public opinion.”304 The existence of an effective right of redress will deter journal- E.U. Guatemala Report, supra note 259, at 65. Electoral Law, art. 50, §§ 1, 2 (2005) (Afg.) (“[S]tate-run media shall publish and disseminate, as agreed with Commission, the platforms, views, and goals of the candidates in a fair and unbiased manner.”) 299 Id. art. 50, § 3 (“State-owned media shall institute, as necessary, goals, policies and procedures to ensure fair coverage of the elections and implement the provisions of sub articles (1) and (2).”). 300 E.U. Mexico Report, supra note 60, at 53. 301 Electoral Law, art. 51, § 1 (2005) (Afg.) (“The MC shall monitor fair reporting and coverage of the electoral campaign period and shall deal with the complaints concerning any breaches of fair reporting or coverage of political campaign, or other violations of the Mass Media Code of Conduct. Appeals may be lodged with the Commission.”). 302 See generally Guyana Elections Commission, http://www.gecom.org.gy/elections_commission.html (last visited Jan. 10, 2011). 303 Media Code of Conduct Roundtable, A Media Code of Conduct for Reporting and Covering of Elections in Guyana in 2001, art. III(8) (Oct. 9, 2000), available at http://www.anfrel.org/ resources/others/mediacodeofconduct.pdf. 304 Dahl et al., supra note 131, at 24. 297 298 89