Equal Time Law [vanity]

Me

[Dan Nunn]

Ladies and Gentlemen and legal-minded Freepers, I need your help:

One of my friends has a local radio show (which I've previously chronicled) devoted to hunting and fishing.

Recently, he secured the Republican candidate for county executive as a guest on the show, to talk about his thoughts and opinions on hunting and fishing. My friend has spent some time and money promoting the interview thus far.

Unfortunately, recently the radio station has intervened and put a stop to the interview, saying that they would have legal problems on their hands if they let it continue, problems going back to the Equal Time Law. I've done some searches on the internet to find more information, but cannot find a knockout answer for him to rebuke with.

If anyone knows of a legal defense to counter this crazy law, please let me know. Would simply stating that the Democratic candidate is more than welcome should he choose to come on be sufficient?

[Dan Nunn]

Thanks for your help, FReepers!

[Kimmers]

http://www.journalism.wisc.edu/~drechsel/j559/readings/polbroad.html

I googled it and it seems to only pertain to candidates running for political office...

[Dan Nunn]

That's what I was afraid of, as the interviewee is running for local office. Maybe there's a loophole, or some condition whereby as long as time's offered, it's viable. Thanks for your reply!

[rockrr]

I would think that this could easily be "put to bed" by having your friend extend an invitation to his opponent to come on and similarly talk about hunting and fishing. They wouldn't have to come on at the same time, but your friend should put together a similar set of questions ( should the opponent accept) for each guest.

If your friend had a notion to use the platform of the (outdoor sports) talk show to talk politics, he should reconsider.....sounds like his employer isn't too keen on that idea.

Good luck!

[Dan Nunn]

I was thinking that this would be the case, but I'm not sure. He's not making the show political and would not discuss politics (with the exception of hunting and fishing policies), but it looks like this policy still applies. Thanks!

[Mount Athos]

ask him to come on after the election.