WPT Participation Policy
WPT Letter of Invitation
WPT Letter with Format Info

The following guidelines were drafted by Wisconsin Public Television to establish the criteria by which political candidates may (or may not) be considered for that stations political coverage.

WXXIs Debate Criteria and Participation Policy

contributed by Gary Walker
Vice President for News and Public Affairs, WXXI, Rochester, New York

WXXI has had a long tradition of hosting local, regional, statewide and national debates and forums between candidates for elected office. Of course we follow all rules and regulations as mandated by the Federal Communications Commission. It has been and will always be WXXIs intention to include as many legally qualified candidates as possible in our debates and forums.

However, some races have such a number of candidates and such clear front runners that a single debate setting simply cannot accommodate all candidates. For such races, WXXI has, and will continue, to provide free airtime and other outlets for political messages to the public through our television station, radio station(s), and our web site.

As far as the few debates that for whatever reason are sensitive to numbers of participants, WXXI will reserve the right, in the public interest, to limit participants. The following is WXXIs Debate Criteria and Debate Participation Policy.

  WXXI will have content control of any political debate that we produce for our broadcast. WXXI has in the past and will continue to collaborate with other media and institutions on candidate debates. Again, WXXI will have final say when it comes to content.

  WXXI reserves the right to decide which political races and campaigns will be given a broadcast or webcast debate.

  WXXI reserves the right to limit the number of candidates participating in a WXXI-produced and -broadcast debate based on the following criteria:

For statewide races such as Attorney General, Governor, Lt. Governor, Comptroller, and U.S. Senator:

"  Must be a legally qualified candidate;

"  Financial filings with the State Board of Elections by January of the Election Year;

"  Have at least $50,000 in campaign funds available at the January filing;

"  Have demonstrated a serious and responsible candidacy by taking certain actions necessary for the undertaking of a statewide campaign, such as:

·  securing campaign staff;

·  preparing for statewide media operations;

·  organizing and implementing a statewide fundraising program;

·  making personal appearances around the state and actively campaigning;

"  Have at least 5% of the vote in recent voter surveys.

For statewide primary elections:

"  Must be a qualified candidate on the primary ballot or have the endorsement of a New York State Board of Elections recognized political party (any party having received 50,000 votes in the last Gubernatorial election) to run in the primary;

"  Must demonstrate an active campaign including:

·  actively pursuing and engaging Party members at LD meetings, caucuses, and other gatherings of party leaders and members around the state;

·  have a campaign committee and statewide operation;

·  must issue policy statements and mailings and/or vigorous statewide personal appearances and canvassing;

"  Must have a legal campaign committee and financial filings with the State Board of Elections.

For local elections such as Mayors, County Executive, County Clerk, State Assembly and Senate races, District Attorney, Sheriff, Town Boards & Supervisors and School Boards:

"  Must be a legally qualified candidate;

"  Must have an established campaign committee;

"  Show 5% support in any polls that may be available;

"  Must demonstrate an active campaign including:

·  have a legal campaign committee and financial filings with the appropriate County Board of Elections;

·  making campaign appearances and door-to-door efforts in all areas affected by the office sought;

·  raising campaign contributions;

·  must be distributing policy positions and issue positions regularly.