|
Q:
How much free time are you giving candidates in 2002? How
are you using this time?
A:
Candy Altman, Hearst-Argyle: Hearst committed to doing
five minutes a day in the 30 days up to the general election
this year. All 23 of Hearst’s stations are doing this. “By
setting that bar and by communicating that to the stations,
we have laid a framework for them. Then, we let each station
come up with a plan that works for them.”
A:
Linda Polach, WCVB, Boston: In addition to devoting
five minutes of air time before the election, WCVB extended
this to the 30 days up to the primary as well. The time is
focused on candidate discourse. “We ask a candidate to explain
his or her position on a particular issue and it’s without
interruption,” she said. “We are so used to hearing 10-second
sound bites. It feels different (hearing more from the candidates).”
Candidates speak from the studio or campaign trail.
Q:
What are some other creative ways to use free air time?
A:
Adam Symson, KNXV, Phoenix: A reporter can pre-tape
one-on-one interviews with each of the candidates and use
their comments in political packages throughout the election
season. KNXV used this model and found it to be successful.
“This way, we were able to give them their ability to speak,
but we also had some editorial control…The station could also
focus on issues viewers cared about.” During the one-on-one
interviews, the candidates pulled questions out of a fishbowl
and the reporter asked only the questions they pulled.
A:
Thor Wasbotten, KGUN, Tucson: KGUN added an interview
session called “To the Point.” “During the 4:30 p.m. newscast,
we focus on an important race in the state.” Candidates were
invited into the studio to answer questions from an anchor.
A producer timed the candidates’ answers so everyone was given
equal time.
A:
Maureen Scott, WFLA, Tampa: “We are positioning the
candidate in front of a political background and they have
two minutes in which to give their statement.” Before the
candidate’s statement runs on the air, WFLA will fact check
the statement to correct any misleading or incorrect information.
|
