by Matthew Lasar Sep 24 2006 - 11:00pm Politics
The Federal Communications Commission will allow the Nebraska Broadcasters Association (NBA) to continue two radio programs hosted by prominent politicians in that state without having to offer equal time to their rivals.
NBA produces two talk radio shows: one for Governor Dave Heineman, a Republican, and another for Senator Ben Nelson, a Democrat. Heineman's program broadcasts over 40 radio stations. Nelson's talk show airs over 12.
Both officials face challengers this November: Nelson from Republican Pete Ricketts, a former Ameritrade executive. Polls show Heineman way ahead of Democrat David Hahn, an attorney for farmers turned Internet entrepreneur.
The Communications Act of 1934 normally requires programs that offer one candidate access to its airwaves to grant the same access to other candidates. But in these cases the FCC Policy Division decided that because they are long-standing, regularly scheduled news shows, "based on newsworthiness rather than on an intention to advance or harm an individual’s candidacy," they qualify for exemption from the equal time rule.
Heineman's call-in program has aired once a month since 1985, according to NBA; Nelson's has broadcast on a quarterly basis since 2005.
