|
Virginia Forum on Media & Politics
Forum On Media and Politics Helps to Promote Better Campaign Coverage
On July 14 and 15, the Center for Governmental Studies brought together political leaders, analysts, and expert journalists from the print, radio, and television media for the 2000 Virginia Forum on Media and Politics. The purpose of this conference, held at Charlottesville's Doubletree Hotel, was to measure the health of campaign coverage and allow an in-depth study on the role of the media in covering politics on the national, state, and local levels. Participants from over twenty media outlets and campaigns took part in discussions that focused on how their organizations could maximize the amount of information available to Virginians concerning the political process, producing practical solutions and improvements in coverage that were implemented in the November elections.
CGS Director Larry J. Sabato, in his opening remarks, said that the purpose was not to tell media executives and reporters how to cover politics. As he explained: "We are here primarily to discuss the politics of coverage, not just the coverage of politics."
Important topics discussed during the conference included whether or not journalists are responsible for encouraging people to go to the polls on Election Day, how journalists treat politicians who are less media-savvy, whether or not it is appropriate for journalists to voice their own political views, why political advertising is so expensive, and why political coverage fails to interest many Americans.
"The crux of the argument, for which there is no right or wrong answer, is whether or not news organizations should advocate politics and encourage civic participation. The debate was strong, but the answer was elusive," said Mike Greenwald, CGS intern and coordinator of the project.
The conference also featured lunchtime remarks by Paul Taylor, founder and director of the Alliance for Better Campaigns, on the ABC's "5/30" proposal, which requests that news stations include 5 minutes of substantive, candidate-centered coverage of politics every night for the thirty days prior to elections. Taylor claimed that news networks make hefty profits from selling time for political advertisements on the public airwaves, yet offer very little in terms of important issue and candidate coverage. He encouraged those present to adopt the "5/30" standard and fulfill their obligation to America's citizens.
Following Taylor, Harvey Powers of WWBT 12-Richmond gave a rebuttal from the point of view of broadcast media. Powers not only discussed how the news networks are a business and therefore needed to respond to viewer preferences, but he also talked about ways of trying to make the coverage of politics more interesting and informative. Powers also encouraged other organizations to use additional outlets, like station websites, to provide more information, as well as reach out to the community more to see what issues are important to the average voters.
According to Mike Greenwald, "We were very pleased. The forum allowed all of the participants, in a time when the races around the country are really heating up, to look introspectively at the politics of the newsroom, not just the politics they are covering."
Schedule
Friday, July 14:
6:00 p.m.: Registration1
6:30 p.m.: Cocktails2
7:00 p.m.: Dinner2
Saturday, July 15:
8:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast3
9:00 a.m.: Introduction and explanation of day's events3
1. Opening by Center Program Director Alex Theodoridis
2. Remarks and initial discussion by Center Director Larry J. Sabato
9:30 a.m.: Discussion I - Print: "What should print coverage of Election 2000 in Virginia entail? Ideas for Coverage."4
9:30 a.m.: Discussion II - Electronic Media: "What should radio and television coverage of Election 2000 in Virginia entail? Ideas for Coverage."5
11:30: Lunch with Paul Taylor of the Alliance for Better Campaigns3
1 p.m.: Wrap up:3
1. Bringing ideas together.
2. Five-10 minute closing from leaders of each group discussion.
3. Closing remarks by Larry J. Sabato.
All Events to be held at the Double Tree Hotel of Charlottesville
1 - Lobby
2 - Gallery Room
3 - Giorgio's Ristorante
4 - James Monroe Room
5 - James Madision Room
Click here for printer-friendly version
_____________________________________________
Copyright © 2005 U.Va. Center for Politics. All rights reserved.
|
