1996-1997 ESSAY CONTEST

SUBJECT: What role does, and what role should the media play in choosing our candidates for national office?

RULES

Essay must be no less than 750 words nor more than 1,000 words in length.

1. Contact the Federal Election Commission 800-424-9530 or your local election board, and obtain the names of all the candidates for national office from your congressional district since 1985. (U.S. Senate and House of Representatives)
2. Attempt to contact these candidates and schedule interviews---phone is fine. Prepare a list of your own questions regarding their experiences with the media during their campaigns. If feasible invite candidates to speak to your class.
3. Ask several members of your local media how they decide which candidates to cover.
4. Discover for yourself how often your local 1996 candidates for national office, who are not members of the two main parties, are given a platform by the media. Gather evidence from newspapers, magazines, radio and TV. Document with dates and times.
5. Contrast the coverage alloted by the media to incumbents and challengers. Document with dates and times.
6. Include a completed copy of the following questionnaire with each essay.

Questionaire Concerning the Media

Please mark -- when more than one answer is desired, let #1 = most preferred; #7=least.

Newspapers, TV and radio stations should cover _______% of the press releases they receive.

I am familiar with the names of the challengers __________________

I believe the media decides to cover candidates based on:

________ an assesment of the degree of reader, listener or viewer interest.

________ the notion of public server--"duty to inform".

________ speculation on the candidate's chance of winning.

________ name recognition of the candidate (unknown doesn't get coverage)

________ amount of money in the candidate's political war chest.

________ belief that the candidate has thought seriously about issues.

________ the political party to which the candidate does or does not belong

_________ they only cover candidates of the two major  parties.

________ they only cover candidates of qualified parties.

________ party is not a consideration.


I believe the media informs the public about candidates in a manner which is:

________ excellent

________ adequate

________ poor


I believe we are informed about __________% of all the candidates filing for political office.

I would like to see

________ 100% coversage for those filing for public office.

________ more candidates covered but with discretion; up to ___________%.

________ fewer candidates given coverage; approximately ___________%.

I believe the job done by the media in informing the public is:

________ excellent

________ adequate

________ poor


I would like to see the media voluntarily compare the candidates' stands on issues

________ by sponsoring a debate open to all candidates for a given public office.

________ by sponsoring a debate open to favored candidates.

I would like to see the media voluntarily showcase a comparison of every candidate

________ (press) by setting aside a page with the issue and the candidate stands.

________ (press) by offering an on-going column during an election year as a forum for anyone running for public office to present their views.

________ (TV, radio) by inviting candidates, one at a time, to discuss issues

(Press) If 5 people are running and only 3 respond to an invitation to be published

________ as long as some candidates fail to respond, none should be published.

________ respondees should be given only limited coverage

________ respondees should be published as frequently as they reply.

I believe the job done by the media in informing the public about public policy issues is

________ excellent

________ adequate

________ poor

I would improve the coverage by (comments on separate pages are encouraged)

Essays and questionnaire, must be submitted to the Harry Singer Foundation on or before April 18, 1997. Upon submittal, entries become the property of The Harry Singer Foundation.

Awards and notification of winning essays will be issued on or before May 19, 1997.

If you are a teacher and would like to have your students work on this project, contact us for special class awards information. Papers for the entire class may be sent together as an attached file or in several email communications or by regular mail to:

1997 Media Contest
The Harry Singer Foundation
P.O. Box 223159, Carmel, California 93922.

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