The Political Conventions: Want to Join the Party? Local Broadcasters Have You Covered

The signs are all there. Back to school commercials. Discounted offers for last minute vacations. The welcomed respite from 100 degree days. Summer is drawing to a close. But as one season ends, another begins… election season!

The race to the White House is well underway, and you’ll be hearing more about the candidates and the issues as Democrats and Republicans hold their respective political party conventions in the coming weeks.

Worried that you’ll miss out on the party? Don’t be – your local broadcasters have you covered. Stations will be providing extensive coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa Bay, Fla.,  August 27-30 and the 2012 Democratic National Convention September 3-6 in Charlotte, N.C.

Preparations have been underway for Charlotte stations before the city was officially selected to host the Democratic Convention in February 2011. Stations are budgeting for overtime for staffers to work up to 12 hours a day to ensure they are providing viewers with complete coverage of the convention. Broadcast stations in Tampa Bay have surveyed stations in previous convention host cities and contacted additional employees to prepare for the influx of convention attendees. Stations in both cities are busy working with their networks and other media so coverage of the conventions is robust across the country.

Don’t miss out on the fun. Make sure to check out your local broadcast stations’ Facebook and Twitter pages for more information on what you can expect from them this election season.

Broadcasters’ work to educate the electorate this political season

When you hear “political contributions” you probably think of money given to candidates. But broadcasters’ view their political contributions differently—as a way to serve the voters in their communities during an election year by educating them with debates, information and more.

Local broadcasters remain the number-one source of local news, giving stations a key role in increasing civic engagement in the electoral process.

Here are just a few examples of local broadcasters’ efforts to educate and engage voters before the upcoming elections:

• In Hawaii, KHNL-TV and KGMB-TV Honolulu televised a mayoral debate. Candidates debated a variety of issues, and current mayor Peter Carlisle also fielded questions and comments related to his job performance over the past term.

• Voters in Myrtle Beach, S.C., are in a brand-new congressional district in 2012 and have a number of candidates from both political parties to learn about. In June, stations aired debates between the Republican candidates one night and the Democrat candidates another evening. This October, WBTW-TV will air a third debate with the nominees from both parties.

• Of course the biggest election this November is the presidential election. NBC News is partnering with Telemundo to cover the presidential race. “Decision 2012” will include joint monthly polls, coverage of the campaigns and conventions, and events focused on the role of the Hispanic vote, estimated at 22 million eligible voters. The partnership provides Telemundo access to NBC News’ political content and gives NBC News the benefit of Telemundo’s expertise in the Hispanic community.

And, like all the over-the-air programming broadcasters already offer, all of this election information is provided  free to the viewer. Because of broadcasters’ efforts, voters go to the polls more informed about the issues and candidates, which contributes to a stronger democracy.

TV Stations Are Stepping Up to Inform Voters

You can’t turn on the TV without being reminded that it’s an election year. Around the country candidates are pounding the pavement, running hard for various seats. This November, voters will have the opportunity to elect a new president, new members of Congress and choose from thousands of state, county and local candidates for a variety of positions.

So how is a person supposed to know who all these candidates are and what they stand for? That’s where your local broadcasters come in. Local TV and radio stations are bringing political information directly to the voters.

“Free air time means agenda-free citizenship,” a blog post from TVB.org, highlights some of the ways TV stations are using their airwaves and online assets to keep voters informed, including:

• Stations in Ohio and Indiana affiliated with the Dispatch Broadcast Group will be contributing free political airtime, along with extended coverage of the conventions. They’ll also offer election-themed online content, notably Ohio’s WBNS and ONN stations’ “Candidate Match,” an interactive tool used to match a voter’s key issues and values with the most like-minded candidate.

• Hearst Television stations’ are participating in “Commitment 2012,” which includes an election app that will allow voters an “anytime/anywhere” aspect for election information. They also have an exclusive deal with PolitiFact, “the Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking website of the Tampa Bay Times.” Their stations will have original segments using the website’s “Truth-O-Meter.” (Read more)

• Post-Newsweek Stations facilitate getting voter questions straight to the candidates through “Voter’s Voice.” “Voter Video Patrol” provides cameras to voters to document the issues facing their neighborhoods. “Meet the Candidate” segments are taped at the stations at no charge and run in local news. “Candidate Comparisons” is a side by side look at candidates’ positions and “Ad Watch” and “Truth Test” fact-check political ad claims.

• Scripps Television Station Group’s “Democracy 2012” program includes a Florida-centric election information website for this complicated and pivotal battleground state. They’ve also added an “Ask the Candidates” area to their overall online election coverage. Along with the Center for Responsive Politics, they’re making searchable online databases available to research and track campaign contributions.

And, like all the over-the-air programming broadcasters already offer, all of this is free to the viewer.

What about your local station? Are they doing something interesting to keep you informed during this election season? Share your comments and ideas below.