On November 17 and 18 WZZM 13 ran two different interviews with gubernatorial candidates Jennifer Granholm and Dick Devos. The interviews were quite lengthy by TV news standards, being about 4 minutes each, and had been advertised throughout the week during WZZM newscasts. The interviews were framed as “personal” looks at the candidates, not focused on politics. In the piece, the candidates are asked some questions about their home life and hobbies as well who they thought was going to win the super bowl, whether they preferred chicken or steak, or whether or not they liked the film Austin Powers. These were just a few examples of the actual questions asked in the interviews, other questions involved finding out the candidates preferences concerning cars, sports teams, and cake. None the questions asked provided any information to the viewer that would help them make an informed choice on Election Day.

The election is roughly one year away and while it is possible that WZZM 13 may run other, more useful interviews with the candidates, past experience shows that this has not traditionally been the case. In the last gubernatorial in 2002, WZZM 13 ran only one minute and forty six seconds of Jennifer Granholm speaking during the thirty days preceding Election Day. Her opponent Dick Posthumous received only one minute and fifty six seconds of speaking time during that same time period. If we use the previous election coverage as a guide, it is quite likely that these recent interviews of Granholm and Devos might very well end up being the most airtime devoted to the candidates voices.

We would encourage people to contact WZZM 13 and let them know that the viewing public deserves more serious and substantive coverage of gubernatorial elections. For a list of further recommendations for local TV election coverage standards, check the GRIID website at http://www.griid.org/fcc-community_standards.shtml

Contact:

WZZM 13
News Director: Tim Geraghty
Phone #: (616) 785-1313
E-mail: tgeraght@wzzm.gannett.com