April 24, 2024
As the source of Americans' most trusted news, broadcast networks and local stations are uniquely positioned to inform and empower the electorate. In addition to hyperlocal coverage of election regulations and schedules, broadcasters provide debate coverage, get out the vote efforts and in-depth reporting on the candidates and issues. With broad reach, TV and radio stations are key resources for candidates and officials looking to speak to the electorate.
This April, Chad Lopez, president of Red Apple Media's WABC in New York, N.Y., spoke with Radio Ink about AM radio's unique power to bring information and debates to listeners. "AM is a long form medium where issues can be thoroughly debated to find the truths. This is important in an election year. AM radio also has a long history of being the authority for News and Talk radio. It's the village square where people gather to debate important issues," he said.
NBCUniversal Local's Telemundo Station Group, which includes 31 Telemundo-owned stations, and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises partnered with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund to host a voter registration phone bank, giving callers the opportunity to speak with bilingual operators.
"We're committed to empowering our communities through knowledge and engagement, and we strive to inspire our audiences to exercise their fundamental right to vote and participate in democracy," says Osvaldo "Ozzie" Martínez, executive vice president of Multiplatform News, Original Programming and Standards for Telemundo Station Group.
TelevisaUnivision launched its nonpartisan multiplatform campaign, Vota Conmigo (Vote with Me), aimed at providing educational tools and resources to motivate every eligible Hispanic U.S. citizen to participate in the electoral process and cast their vote during this year’s election cycle.
"In an era where Spanish-speaking Americans face a significant lack of in-language information and resources to facilitate their participation in our country's elections, TelevisaUnivision serves as a respected community partner and trusted source of information and educational tools," said Wade Davis, chief executive officer, TelevisaUnivision.
As part of its comprehensive voter guide, Hearst Television's WBAL-TV in Baltimore, Md., ran a special "Securing the Election” through its investigative team's "Get the Facts" series. The piece addressed election security concerns through an interview with Maryland State Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis, demonstrating the security procedures in place during elections and inviting viewers to reach out with questions.
Cox Media Group's WSOC-TV in Charlotte, N.C., covered the first-ever Charlotte Black Voter Forum, including an interview with civil rights attorney James E. Ferguson, who understands that voting isa sacred right. "We have to exercise. We have to get people out to vote, and people have to understand the issues," he told the station.
A dedicated streaming series from Graham Media Group's News4Jax in Jacksonville, Fla., discusses "debates, trends, patterns, election laws and more" in what the station calls "an election year like no other." Bruce Hamilton, News4JAX anchor of "The Morning Show," is hosting this series, which aims to give viewers all the information they need to make informed decisions this election year.
Broadcasters meet their audiences on all screens, providing news and information when and where their communities need it. This year, Entravision has partnered with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund to add a voter registration portal to its El Botón music app. The streaming app offers music, podcasts and entertainment news in Spanish and boasts more than 200,000 monthly views. "At Entravision, we have been serving the U.S. Latino community for almost three decades. It is our mission to empower this community with the information they need to have their voices heard," Entravision CEO Michael Christenson said.
NAB provides an Election Toolkit and hosts the Hispanic Media GOTV Coalition to make sure all stations have access to the best resources to combat misinformation and educate voters.
More than 2.47 million American jobs depend on broadcasting, and the local broadcast radio and television industry - and the businesses that depend on it - generate $1.17 trillion annually for the nation's economy.
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