Once again readers, thanks again for waking me up. At Noon Today, I was half watching and flipping newscasts, when I suddenly hear this anti-casino speech. I knew it wasn't a normal commerical that had been running, because the voice wasn't familiar. I watched more closely and realized it was a commentary from the GM on KSN. I thought it was odd, but disregarded it. Then someone comments on it at the end of the previous post. I then think about it some more and decided to write the following and open it up for discussion.
I honestly do not know the answer to this question so I will pose it here. Are their equal time rules regarding TV stations during elections? You hear about this at times during the Presidential elections. The question comes up after seeing the General Manager of KSN doing a commentary explaining why he is against expanded gambling in the upcoming election. I am sure he and the station would argue these are solely the opinions of him and not the station. I'll accept that, but besides the fact he is GM of the station, couldn't one argue someone from the "Yes" camp should be given an opportunity to have the time to do the same thing.
Another argument could be newspapers do this all the time with editorials. However the newspaper is printed on a median (paper) from a private entity. Although TV stations are owned by private entities, they are broadcasting on the Public's airwaves, regulated by the FCC. So in this example the public airwaves are being used to give time for one opinion, whether or not its just the GM's opinion and not the station's. So my question once again is, does KSN owe the opposing side the same amount of air time for their rebuttal? Honestly I may be totally wrong here, but I'd like your opinions of what you make of this spot and secondly do they violate an FCC or equal time rule, if anything like that even exists?
A commenter mentioned that the station could have credibility issues covering the story now. That is an interesting point, even if their staff hasn't made up their minds, do viewers who see this, think "anti-casino" now when they see Anita, Paul or noon anchor Stephanie Bergman? Also if the GM takes this stance now and if the casinos pass, will he refuse the casinos' money when they want to advertise on his station. I think I know the answer to that one. -Hal
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
KSN employees are not happy about this. They feel they've been unfairly lumped into one person's opinion.
I did a quick search on the FCC's site. While I couln't find the actual rule in the time I had, it appears the equal time rule applies to candidates. There was no mention of issues, only candidates.
I will tell you though, most TV stations will work hard to air fair coverage to most issues, no matter the rule. What Al did is out of the ordinary in the business.
The fair time rule went out with the fairness doctrine in policy. However, most stations and networks do their best to be fair to both sides.
I know KWCH during the last election gave time to candidates in each of the major races to speak. However, they invited everyone. I don't know if KAKE does the same thing.
KSN should have had someone from the Yes campaign on to balance it but if all fairness they should have had their GM on at all.
Many of the employees at KSN are unhappy about this.
This will revolt against the NO campaign... When you have people in power like the KSN GM and the Hawker Beechcraft CEO telling people to vote no, it will just make people angry and cause them to vote yes. People do not like to be told what to do from higher ups, especially when they already have alot of money and power.. Very bad move by KSN in my opinion.
You should stay fair and balanced just like most stations seem to for other elections
I am a KSN employee and I am not happy about this.
I am a ksn employee and may LEAVE because I'm so angry
Equal time rules apply to candidates not issues. A tv station can take a position without having to play to both sides.
I love how our local media can be so hypocritical. Isn't KSN running ads right now for the Yes Yes campaign? And KWCH determines both campaigns have misleading statements in their commercials but continue to run the ads anyway? Wasn't that the reason they didn't run the Bloomberg ads?
I am curious if anyone thinks this was a smart and good thing to do. Right now your comments are all against. Thanks to anon for the info on the FCC and the fairness doctrine policy.
If you think this was a good thing to do, I'd like to know your reasons. I don't agree with this, but maybe there is an advantage to aligning oneself with Wichita's CEOs and other elites. What are your thoughts? -Hal
Ethics and fairness aside, it just wasn't a smart move. Buch's opinion may have no effect on how KSN covers the story, but that's not how it appears to the common viewer. He sees it as the entire station taking a 'no casino' stance. And KSN will lose credibility in his mind.
You'd never see KAKE's GM doing something like that... but then that's mostly due to the fact that he can't string together two sentences without mentioning Oklahoma Sooners football.
If KSN employees are so upset why haven't they quit? Also, has anyone informed the FCC of KSN's violation by saying "Vote No?" Perhaps someone should.
Post a Comment