Best Practices in Journalism is providing financial support to 40 political reporting projects at commercial and public television stations across the country during the 2002 campaign. These demonstration projects include a wide range of election coverage ideas: in-depth studies of local issues, analysis of campaign commercials, debates, and more.
The commercial and public stations receiving these grants represent market sizes from 1 to 154, and were selected from more than 70 applicants. In some cases they are teaming up with other stations or newspapers to create partnerships that will bring stronger stories to a wider audience. As with the eleven projects funded by Best Practices in Journalism in the 2000 election season, we hope that these grants will allow newsrooms to experiment with new techniques, and produce quality journalism about the 2002 election.
In turn, well highlight the best of the ideas tested by these demonstration projects, sharing the lessons learned in our workshops and on the web. For these great story ideas, please join our list.
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market city & 2002 rank
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1
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New York City · 1
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WNET (PBS) in partnership with WXXI (PBS), Rochester
WNET and WXXI will team up to produce a series of interstitials and programs that examine the tension between upstate and downstate New York, and how that impacts politics and the role of government, especially since September 11.
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2
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Los Angeles · 2
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KNBC (NBC)
A series of reports on California political races, including both on the road reports and half-hour specials. |
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3
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Los Angeles · 2
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KCET (PBS)
Twelve truth-check pieces airing on KCETs nightly Life & Times series. The series will fact-check candidate advertising, speeches and press releases. |
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4
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Chicago · 3
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WTTW (PBS)
Two documentaries modeled after Frontlines The Choice, featuring the candidates for governor in Illinois. Possible partners include WBEZ public radio. |
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5
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San Francisco/
Oakland · 5
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KTVU (Fox)
Reports on California races to be shared with other stations across the state. The station will also test strategies for promoting political stories. |
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6
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San Francisco/
Oakland · 5
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KQED (PBS, NPR) in partnership with KTVU (Fox) and the San Francisco Chronicle
A multi-media project looking at leadership qualities and the California gubernatorial race. Elements include interstitials, newspaper reporting, television public affairs programs and call-in radio. |
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7
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Boston · 6
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WBZ (CBS) in partnership with the Boston Globe
Two one-hour town hall meetings on education and the economy in the Massachusetts gubernatorial race. |
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8
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Boston · 6
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WGBH (PBS)
The candidates for Massachusetts governor will be featured in a biographical profile documentary similar to The Choice. |
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9
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Dallas · 7
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KERA (PBS) in partnership with WFAA (ABC) and KUVN (Univision)
A multi-part project including both English- and Spanish-language governor and senate debates and ongoing coverage of issues confronting ethnic communities. Additional partners include the Dallas Morning News, The Texas Monthly and the Texas Association of Broadcasters. []
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10
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Dallas · 7
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WFAA (ABC)
A series of reports comparing how different cities in Texas cope with similar issues. Stories will be exchanged among four stations: WFAA Dallas, KHOU Houston, KENS San Antonio and KVUE Austin. Additional partners include the Dallas Morning News. |
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11
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Seattle · 12
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KING (NBC)
A series of Reality Check reports that examine community issues and candidate promises. Similar in style to ad watch reports, these stories will fact-check candidate speeches and position statements. |
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12
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Minneapolis/
St. Paul · 13
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Twin Cities Public Television (PBS)
A mock budget exercise conducted on television and online where candidates and citizens are pushed to put their money where their mouth is. TPT will also produce The Choice style documentaries and debates on the senate and gubernatorial races. |
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13
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Miami · 15
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WPBT (PBS) in partnership with WFOR (CBS)
A two-hour gubernatorial debate produced in partnership with WFOR, the Sun-Sentinel, Diario las Américas, WIOD NewsRadio and the Florida League of Women Voters. |
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14
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Phoenix · 16
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KAET (PBS)
Ad watch reports and issue stories covering the gubernatorial race, other statewide races, and Arizonas newly added congressional seats. Partners include the Arizona State University School of Journalism. |
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15
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Denver · 18
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Rocky Mountain PBS Network (PBS) in partnership with KCNC (CBS)
A multi-part project including interstitials, candidate profiles, debates and issue specials for both the Colorado gubernatorial and senate races. Additional partners include the Rocky Mountain News. |
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16
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Denver · 18
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KBDI (PBS)
The Colorado Campaign 2002 will weave campaign coverage into all five of KBDIs regular weekly public affairs programs, as well as present a series of special debates. |
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17
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Portland · 23
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Oregon Public Broadcasting (PBS)
Weekly ad watches, debate programming and Measure Minutes in which radio news staff will analyze citizen ballot initiatives. |
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18
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Raleigh/
Durham · 29
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UNC-TV (PBS)
For the North Carolina Senate race, a biographical candidate documentary, a youth forum, a minority issues forum, ad watch reports and debates. Partners include the Raleigh News and Observer. |
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19
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Nashville · 30
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Nashville Public Television (PBS)
Programs focusing on education and the role of state government, including documentary, debate and public affairs programming. |
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20
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Kansas City · 31
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KCPT (PBS) in partnership with KCTV (CBS)
A series on The Meaning of Leadership, including documentary reports, feature stories, interstitials and debates. Additional partners include the Kansas City Star, KCUR public radio, KPRS (the nations oldest continuously Black-owned and operated station) and Back Channel (a student project at the University of Missouri). |
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21
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Salt Lake City · 35
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KUED (PBS)
Debates featuring citizen questioners, as well as political minutes tracing the conflicts and controversies of Utahs political past. Educational web-based initiatives and a public service campaign promoting voter registration are also planned. |
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22
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Greenville · 36
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WYFF (NBC)
Ad watch reports on television commercials related to the South Carolina senate and gubernatorial races. |
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23
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Harrisburg/
Lancaster · 46
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WGAL (NBC) in partnership with WITF (PBS) and WTAE (ABC) Pittsburgh
Campaign ad watch reports on Pennsylvanias open gubernatorial race. Additional partners include the York Daily Record. |
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24
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Harrisburg/
Lancaster · 46
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WITF (PBS)
WITF will partner with WGAL, the regions NBC affiliate, to provide coverage of the Pennsylvania 2002 elections including town hall meetings, election night results and voter interviews. |
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25
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Albuquerque · 48
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KNME (PBS)
A program that will bring together tribal leaders and gubernatorial candidates to focus on the Native American issues impacting tribal people in New Mexico. |
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26
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Las Vegas · 51
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KLVX (PBS)
Televised debates focusing on the race to fill the states newly created congressional district. Key topics will be economic issues, environmental concerns, and domestic and international security matters. |
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27
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Little Rock · 56
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Arkansas Educational Television Network (PBS) Conway
An election preview special, several debates, and a series of programs turning the spotlight on the voter. Project partners include the League of Women Voters and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette among others. |
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28
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Wichita · 65
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KPTS (PBS)
One-minute election updates to be aired after The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, as well as ongoing coverage as part of the weekly public affairs program. Coverage will culminate in a gubernatorial debate and election night coverage. |
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29
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Rochester · 71
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WXXI (PBS) in partnership with WNET (PBS) New York City
WNET and WXXI will team up to produce a series of interstitials and programs that examine the tension between upstate and downstate New York, and how that impacts politics and the role of government, especially since September 11.
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30
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Portland, Maine · 80
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Maine Public Broadcasting (PBS)
The Voices of Maine project will involve traveling to different cities around the state to collect stories that focus on the problems and concerns of Maine residents and what they want from their next governor. |
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31
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Madison · 85
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Wisconsin Public Television (PBS) in partnership with WISC (CBS) and the Wisconsin State Journal
A regional series of Where in Wisconsin reports that take gubernatorial candidates to different locations to hear citizens concerns. Additional partners include Wisconsin Public Radio. |
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32
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Madison · 85
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WISC (CBS) in partnership with WKBT (CBS) La Crosse
A series focused on identifying and reporting the key issues in the states gubernatorial race. |
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33
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Burlington · 90
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Vermont Public Television (PBS) Colchester
A documentary which asks the question, How will the background and life experiences of the gubernatorial candidates affect how they might govern in the future? The program will examine the candidates personalities, philosophies and platforms. |
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34
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Youngstown · 98
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WEAO-WNEO (PBS) Kent
Documentary programs will examine what happens to an election when redistricting forms a single district combining two very different regions of Ohio, and forces two established leaders to vie for one Congressional seat. |
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35
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Lincoln · 102
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Nebraska ETV Network (PBS)
Informal Diner Debates for the states gubernatorial candidates. Held in communities outside the Lincoln/Omaha area, with an invited local audience hosted at a local café or restaurant. |
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36
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Boise · 121
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Idaho Public Televison (PBS)
Expanded programming and enhanced web materials to examine two important ballot initiatives, term limits and tribal gaming. |
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37
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Chico/Redding · 131
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KIXE (PBS)
Adwatch 2002 will be a one-hour program that critiques, compares and contrasts the political advertising seen in North California. The show will examine TV ads that focus on statewide initiatives. |
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38
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Duluth · 135
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WDSE (PBS)
A project involving pre-service teachers in an educational initiative developed to engage students in election issues. Outreach efforts will culminate in televised debates hosted on campus using videotaped classroom discussions, and student questioners. In partnership with the University of MinnesotaDuluth. |
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39
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Anchorage · 154
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Alaska Public Television and Radio Collaboration (PBS)
The states public broadcasters will produce political segments that will air in conjunction with the statewide daily weather show where audience numbers are significant, as well as provide hours of debate coverage, daily reports, and election night returns. Partners include KAKM, KTOO, KUAC, KYUK, APRN, Gavel to Gavel Alaska, and ARCS. |
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40
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Charleston, Illinois
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WEIU (PBS)
WEIU, the League of Women Voters, and other media partners will produce candidate forums through pre-election town meetings as well as election night coverage. |
