WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In response to the release of a report entitled "Citizens Inundated" by Free Press, NAB Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton issued the following statement:
"Free Press apparently believes there's too little election coverage, a premise that seems shaky given the political discourse, debates and candidate coverage that Americans see and hear every day on many broadcast stations.
"What's more troubling is that Free Press cites discredited research as the basis for additional rules on broadcasting. This 'research' only counts political coverage that occurs during the narrow timeframe of weekday evening newscasts, thus ignoring campaign coverage on morning news programs, noon news, weekend public affairs shows, televised debates, State of the Union speeches and political coverage on local broadcast station websites. By embracing past studies that ignore the totality of our campaign coverage, Free Press demonstrates a disturbing intellectual dishonesty reminiscent of their previous attacks on broadcasting."
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.