September 29, 2003

For Information: Cynthia Canary - ICPR Director
(312) 335-1767

Millions in Revenues for TV Stations Owners but Only Chump Change for Voters

Candidates for public office in 2002 spent more than $68 million to run commercials on television stations broadcasting to Illinois homes – resulting in a great payday for the station owners but nothing of substance for viewers.

More than 19,000 paid political commercials were aired by Chicago TV stations, but those same stations paid little attention to what candidates were saying.

On average, only 5 percent of Chicago TV news program time in the final month of the 2002 campaign was devoted to election stories, and most of that time (58 percent) was spent on talk about polling and strategy, according to a study released by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR).

For a summary of the Chicago TV study and the amount of ad dollars received station-by-station, go to www.ilcampaign.org.

“Few candidates were lucky enough to be heard on local newscasts,” said Cynthia Canary, Director of ICPR. “When they did get their voice on the air, it was only for an average of 12 seconds. It’s no wonder that many candidates feel compelled to seek campaign cash from every special interest imaginable. The only way they can be seen on television is to give that same cash to the TV station owners.

“TV stations receive federal licenses giving them use of the public’s airwaves free of charge, and they are supposed to serve the public interest,” Canary said. “But when it’s election time, it is clear that they have little interest in informing the public about candidates and issues.”

ICPR is working with the Alliance for Better Campaigns in a national coalition of organizations working toward stronger public interest mandates for broadcasters. Former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, who founded ICPR, is co-chair of the coalition.