[grc] Election opinions on-air

[Paul Bame]

> "I understand that as a programmer for a 501[c][3] organization, I
> cannot, while on-air, endorse (or encourage people to vote for or
> against) a political candidate or initiative."
> 
> Anyway, I think KMUD's rule is a pretty good one -- but is it too 
> narrow?

> 
> The FCC's own language above is certainly helpful -- "refrain from
> making statements that suggest the station supports or opposes any
> candidate."

I'm not a lawyer or legal scholar, so take this for the mildly-informed
personal opinion that it is :-)

There will always be people who will believe, or who will claim to
believe for possibly manipulative purposes, that the voice of one person
in a group is the voice of the group, and this is probably worse for
media outlets.  And who can really say that the volunteer programmer
who is "in control" and will be signing the on-air log book, is /not/
representing the station, since in a very physical way they are!?

Whether labile naivety or subtle attack, painting a group with the
brush of a single member is an effective gag --- another version of the
"liberal media" gagging method.

There will also always be people who are part of a group who are Very
Very Worried that things they Really Do Not Agree With, or will Offend
Important (to them) People, will be said by those Other members
of their group.

To reduce both of these unfortunate problems, many stations air ample
disclaimers, especially surrounding anything which could be thought
to be opinion rather than fact.  Probably a good idea, especially for
political editorials, especially during election season.

I personally think that, ignoring 501c3, that everything I've read says
it is fine to express station opinions on non-candidate election
questions -- just not on candidates.

My take is that KMUD's policy is too narrow.  But without great
programmer and staff training, careful disclaimers, and a lawyer on
retainer, it is a very sensible way to handle things.

        -Paul (pablito) Bame