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Many stations have adopted a policy of providing free air time to candidates to speak directly to voters. Strategies differ, as do the format possibilities, as these clips show.
 Free Time for Presidential Candidates
KNXV  Phoenix, Arizona
clip run time » 2:28
KNXV offered five minutes of air time to the five major candidates in the presidential primaries (Gore, Bradley, Bush, McCain, and Keyes). In this example, the same topics (Social Security, education/school vouchers, health care, and the general candidate platform) were presented to both Democratic candidates, and the taped responses were edited together with snippets of footage of the candidates on the campaign trail this helps keep the visuals interesting.
One-Minute Candidate Commentaries
Wisconsin Public Television  Madison, Wisconsin
clip run time » 2:50
In 1998 the WPT Friday-night news show Weekend ran a series of free-time spots for the governor, senate, and attorney general races. Candidates were invited to tape one-minute segments on specific topics identified by the station; these were broadcast in the weeks preceding the fall election.
Truth Check Using Candidate Free Time
WFLA  Tampa, Florida
air date » 25.Aug.00
clip run time » 3:04
WFLA used their mandated free-time for candidates as opportunities for truth checks. In this example, the 5:30 News ran a taped three-minute statement by a candidate for Education Commissioner. For the 11 oclock News, a follow-up piece clarified some of the points made by the candidate. This strategy could be used as a pure test of the claims made by the candidate, or in this case as a way to explain or give fuller background to particular issues raised.
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