News Coverage And The Election

It seems like we are always in political season.

And this leads to ask ourselves, how do we navigate through all the news sources to best educate ourselves about issues and candidates that will be on the ballot?

We talk with Mark Nuce, News Director at North American Broadcasting in Columbus, OH. He has been covering the news and elections since the Reagan/Carter election in 1980, so we know he has some great insight on how election coverage has changed (and in some ways, not) over the past 40 years.

With a 24/7 news cycle, reporting something like a presidential election is very different than in past years.  

• What has changed for you as a reporter and how have you changed your reporting methods?
• How do you educate yourself on the issues and candidates?  

The general public is looking for unbiased news reporting, which is nearly impossible in today’s environment.  

• What do you see as your role in reporting election coverage?
• How do you maintain unbiased coverage?  
• Are you utilizing new sources/resources in your daily reports?

How has news coverage changed – for the good and/or bad – during your career?

Elections have changed with the onset of campaign financing - high ticket donations and high ticket publicity.  

• Do you see elections as less about policy making and more about influencers?  
• Or has this issue taken on a life of its own and is this not as critical as many think?

In the past the “boomer” generation was considered a huge voting block. With time passing, that group is diminishing in numbers, has it also diminished in strength?  

• Do you have insight on which voting group/block seems to be leading the charge in today’s election cycle?
• How can voters better understand the importance in voting – not just a constitutional right – but the one way you can make your voice heard?

There have been many states that have successfully used absentee ballots or mail-in ballots, including Ohio. 

• What have you seen regarding the fairness and access of voting? 
• And has that changed over the years?

The League of Women Voters is one neutral resource for information for voters. Can you provide our listeners with other resources they can utilize to educate themselves on the elections – voting processes, candidates, platforms, etc.?

League of Women Voters

Ohio Secretary of State

Find your local county Board of Elections

Vote411 – information for voters in Spanish

Citizens United v. FEC (Supreme Court)

We would love to hear from you.

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And of course everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.