[grc] rules on candidate coverage in election season

[Brian Edwards-Tiekert]

Equal Time for candidates who request it *is* an FCC requirement, not a
matter of internal policy:  Citation:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/315

What Adrienne passed on from Carrie Core appears to be the internal policy
at WMNF. KPFA's internal policy on elections coverage has been to
proactively *offer* equal time to opposing candidates, so there's less room
to get tripped up by the FCC reporting requirements (and more fairness to
candidates for office in our signal area).

Details:
http://www.kpfa.org/system/files/kpfa%20guidelines%20for%20elections.doc

-Brian

On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 11:29 AM, Adrienne Lauby <adrienne at sonic.net> wrote:

> Sadly, I believe the FCC no longer cares how you cover elections.
>
> But there are 501c3 rules:
> At any time, and particularly during an election year, stations and
> programmers need to steer clear of endorsing candidates.  This applies to
> public affairs hosts and music programmers.  The station is not allowed to
> endorse or oppose a candidate for public office. When a volunteer
> programmer is on the air, that person is the station.  A disclaimer is of
> no use.  We could lose our 501(c)(3) status.  Volunteers can speak their
> minds off the air, but on the air they have to follow the rules as if they
> were the station.
>
> You do not instruct people how to vote.
>
> You do not announce whom you are voting for.
>
> Ballot measures are not the same as candidates.  You can be opinionated
> about them.
>
> ----------------
> KPFA has a policy of requiring equal time for candidates if they ask for
> it.  I think that's something we should all do.
>
> But, programmers aren't required to give equal time to people with
> opinions about candidates.  They may interview a journalist or another
> "expert", or even a candidate staff person without triggering the equal
> time rule.  (I don't recommend the last option)
>
> The policy is attached.   The explanation is worth reading.  Thanks to
> Carrie Core and Randy Wind.
>
> Adrienne
>
> On 10/14/14 6:09 AM, Tom Klammer wrote:
>
>> Pat Roberts is facing serious challenge for re-election to US Senate from
>> Kansas from an independent.
>> Former Ambassador Joseph Wilson wrote this piece about him called "Pat
>> Roberts - Congenital Liar."  "...As Roberts desperately struggles to cling
>> to office, he is trying to hoodwink the voters one more time. He never
>> expected that the fact he doesn't have a Kansas home would be exposed. But
>> he's been misleading about more than his address for years -- and getting
>> away with it. In Kansas, he's practiced deception about living there, but
>> in Washington he's lied systematically. Through his deceit, he bears
>> responsibility for the tragedy of Iraq and the crimes committed by the
>> intelligence agencies for which he had oversight responsibility?"
>> Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern has written and spoken in a similar vein.
>> What would a community radio broadcast need to be concerned about or
>> steer clear of in terms of FCC rules in this election season in a show
>> about these issues?
>> Tom Klammerwww.tellsomebody.us  This communication may be unlawfully
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>>
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-- 
Brian Edwards-Tiekert
KPFA 94.1 FM
1929 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94703
510.848.6767 x699
www.kpfa.org