The Following Are Excerpts from Responses by Members of the Media       
to the Harry Singer Foundation Question, "I would improve coverage by..."

"Shortening the length of the campaigns, if possible. By the time the actual election rolls around, people are disillusioned and sick of the whole bunch of them!" 
Standard Examiner, Utah

"Talking to more sources for more diversity and depth---public policy issues should be in discussion in non-election years, but most people don't give a damn..." 
KVON-radio

"In every election there are serious candidates and frivolous candidates. It is the media's responsibility to differentiate issues so that these non-serious candidates are exposed and that serious legitimate candidates are pressed on all issues. It is essential that issues and not press release(s and) self-promoting political rhetoric be the basis for coverage." 
KBUR-radio

"While my response looks inconsistent, common sense should play a major part. Offer all candidates as equal a starting point as practical---then maintain that equality without fear or favor." 
WGNU-radio

"Doing what we do. Cover candidates appearances, offer a meet the candidate appearance, live election night coverage (and) discussion of issues on local Talkshow."

"Eliminate horse race and politics of candidate race." 
WHNT-TV

"We cover all candidates on the ballot (not write ins) but give more coverage to major candidates than minor party or independent ones. ..." 
The Arizona Republic

"Devote more space to political coverage, especially closer to election time." Amarillo Globe, Texas

"It is impossible for a large newspaper or a TV station to give broad coverage to candidates for relatively minor offices." 
WJAC-TV

"Setting aside a specific and longer amount of time to cover each and every candidate objectively." WQGN-radio

"Encouraging readers, viewers and organizaitons to demand more coverage and less bias within the larger news organizations." 
Times Publishing

"TV has limited time---this is really more of a print job---however TV could do more with non-news time with debates or call-in shows." 
TV station

"Providing accurate evaluations---if a candidate says a budget problem can be solved through a specific action, the press must evaluate that action from an unbiased position. Press releases are evaluated for news value and comments elicited from other candidates, so not all are used. Annoucements of events are used 100% of the time, however." 
San Angelo Standard-Times

TV could do more with non-news time with debates and call-in shows.

"Concentrating more on issues, instead of the horse race." 
Buffalo News, New York

"Encouraging media to emphasize issues rather than personalities. More coverage of important issues and any candidates who relate to those issues. Less pack journalism. Drop the equal time provision in federal law for legally qualified candidates on radio and TV---it inhibits coverage. Let the media decide." 
WKXL

"Devoting more space and resources. On the other hand, I can't say I could justify that extra expense, given the amount we already devote." 
Spokesman Review, Washington

"Requiring politicians to respond to questions as individuals rather than party members counting on voters to pull the party lever. This would cause politicians to deal more directly with media news and less with media sales." 
KOBE-New Mexico

"More full-length open discussions from candidates' point of view--- taking calls from listeners (to candidates)" 
WSOX-radio

"More courageous news organizations that, when interviewing candidates, hold their feet to the fire." KNEWS

"Selling more ads to increase newshole to provide more space for candidate coverage. You have to realize space is limited and there are other news events going on." 
The Capital Times, Wisconsin

"Running fewer stories of candidates' claims and campaign promises and more stories in which candidates are assessed by non-partisan, third parties (agencies, groups etc.) Also, readers need much more explanatory coverage of processes such as taxes, health care, etc. " 
Herald and Review, Illinois

"Initially it's important to expose the public to all candidates--- However, at some point, a determination needs to be made to focus only on those candidates who have a realistic (chance?) For example, during an hour debate, viewers can get a better grasp of the issues if only the top 3-5 candidates are involved. If ... 10-12 candidates are included in the 60-minute debate, it's difficult to learn anything ..." 
The Advocate, Los Angeles, California

"Receiving and developing better story tellers (Reporters, anchors, producers)" 
WGH-North Carolina

"Making sure all ethnic and racial candidates are adequately covered. Also, make the ladies get covered." WKAR, Michigan

"Connecting issues from a global perspective to a local issue." 
News, Las Vegas, Nevada

"Reporting more on the substantive issues and reporting more in depth on issue positions of major candidates. For instance, Clinton's tax and spending proposals should be dissected to explain to the public exactly where the money will come from, who will have to pay and how much the payments will be." Chattanooga, Tennessee   News-Free Press

"Eliminating all biased, subjective comments; present comparisons/coverage objectively without interpretations. regardless party-affiliation." 
Columnist, Oregon

"...We report news. We don't make it. ... " 
Muncie Star, Indiana                                                    Back