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For immediate release.
May 17, 2000
Contact: Jesse Rutledge, N.C. Center for Voter Education,
(919) 839-1200

Center for Voter Education Argues for Broadcast of Political Views

RALEIGH - The North Carolina Center for Voter Education has entered the debate over free television air time for political candidates. A complaint before the State Board of Elections challenging the donation of free TV air time to major candidates for governor is wrong, the Center says, and it has submitted arguments in support of broadcasting unedited political viewpoints.

In the complaint, Greensboro lawyer Marshall Hurley attempts to block Capitol Broadcasting Co. from providing the free time. Hurley contends it is an illegal corporate contribution. The company, which owns WRAL-TV and also operates stations in Wilmington and Charlotte, gave free time for the five major gubernatorial candidates to discuss their positions.

In written comments presented to the State Board of Elections, the Center defends the broadcast of two minute, issue-oriented messages as a public service protected under law, and that stations are required to serve the public in exchange for their rights to broadcast on the public airwaves. Though the complaint against broadcasting free air time claims that this is an illegal corporate contribution, no different than "free barbecue" or "free money," the Center believes "free air-time devoted to informing the public of the views of major campaigns for public office is far different than free barbecue."

Another important argument made by the Center is that there are serious problems with American political campaigns and the current system of campaign financing, due to the exploding costs of running an effective campaign. Spending on political television commercials increased 800 percent between 1970 and 1996, more than any other type of campaign spending. Television reaches more people than any other method, but often reduces messages to thirty second slogans and sound bites.

"People complain about mudslinging and political attack ads," says Chris Heagarty, executive director of the Center, "or they complain about the bias of the media. Here's a case where we are letting candidates speak directly to as many voters as possible, without slick advertising or a media-spin. It's not going to fix all of our problems, but it's a heck of a lot better than the current system."

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