Sample Letter to the FCC on Election Coverage

Dear FCC Commissioners,

I am a resident of __________, Michigan and watch Channel __ for my local TV news. In the last Presidential election cycle I observed a significant lack of useful information on the Presidential race, particularly information regarding candidate platforms and voting records. At the same time I saw numerous paid political ads that primarily had a candidate or a 527 group attacking another candidate. Quite often I felt confused and unable to make a clear decision where the candidates stood on issues important to me.

When it came to local races such as County Commissioner, County Clerk, Sheriff, State Judicial seats, University Regents, State Representatives and even my Congressional district race, there was little or no coverage of the candidates. My observation is confirmed by the local TV news monitoring conducted by the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy www.griid.org. They have been monitoring our local TV news coverage of elections since 1998.

My understanding is that local Television broadcasters are issued a license by your office to "serve the public interest." Channel ___ is currently re-applying for a license to use the Public Airwaves in my community. I ask you, how can they be serving my interest if they do not provide me with the necessary information to participate in one the most basic elements of our democracy, the electoral process.

I urge you to consider stronger requirements for local TV stations to provide adequate programming and news coverage in order for me to make an informed vote. I have enclosed a set of standards that I and many others in this community have developed, which I think are reasonable for the TV stations to implement.

Thanks you for your time and I eagerly await your response on how the Public Airwaves can truly represent the Public Interest.

Respectfully
NAME - printed and signed
Address

Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID)
711 Bridge St. NW
Grand Rapids, MI
49504

616-459-4788x122 (phone)
616-459-3970 (fax)

www.griid.org

The contents of this page are also available in a PDF version: Sample Letter to FCC.

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