Election Coverage Statement from WLR
It is a matter for WLR to decide the extent and manner of broadcast coverage it will provide during the general election campaign 2020.
The objective of our election coverage is to provide comprehensive coverage of the general election taking into account:
• the normal programming, we provide to our audience
• our target audience
• the resources available to us
The objective will be to give fair, objective and impartial exposure to candidates, political parties and electoral interests. We shall do this in such manner as we deem fair and appropriate including but not limited to:
• our selection of contributors
• the airtime afforded to contributors / candidates
• our planned debates
• the issues that are emerging as core issues for the electorate in the election
• the structure of our current affairs programming
• how our on-air personnel handle election-related topics
Within that coverage we will be adopt editorial mechanisms to monitor:
• the names of contributors and candidates offered air time (and, if it does arise, that have declined it)
• the names of the contributors/candidates that do appear on air
• the nature of the programme on which contributors appear whether it’s a news bulletin, a debate, a panel discussion, discussion between two or more contributors facilitated by a presenter; a direct interview with our presenter / journalist
• the topic of discussion (and other matters that might be mentioned in the course of said discussion)
• the amount of airtime enjoyed by each contributor, each party and each electoral interest group
Obviously, we will be establishing in the advance with contributors the capacity in which they’ll be contributing on-air, but this does not mean that individuals will not be asked on air to address issues in some other capacity as the nature of the discussion may indicate is appropriate; it means that the broad scope of the capacity in which they will be asked to appear will be established in advance of their on-air contribution.
The key outlets on WLR for General Election 2020 coverage will be our news coverage; our Déise Today morning current affairs show coverage and on our social media accounts and website wlrfm.com.
In terms of our news output, the newsroom will be covering the election on a rolling basis. They will take clips from our own on-air debates and others if they are deemed newsworthy and relevant. The news team will also be offering to send a reporter on the canvas with all candidates – with equal broadcast time afforded to each package. These will be broadcast across the main lunchtime and evening news bulletins.
Déise Today, meanwhile, will be airing two debates with candidates. The venues will be Waterford city and Dungarvan with the candidates split between both. The shows will be pre-recorded, for airing a few days later, and will involve a small audience of invited guests representing a range of interests and expertise.
Our current affairs presenters will play a key role in all our efforts to achieve fairness in our election coverage. This means that they may on occasion adopt challenging positions towards contributors in order to explore and probe the contributor’s position in more depth for the benefit of our listeners.
All data and information relating to our election coverage will be reviewed at least once weekly during the election campaign. We have also set up a dedicated email address, election@wlrfm.com for any complaints or representations from candidates, political parties or election interests/ groupings about our coverage.
We will give good faith consideration to all complaints or representations made in respect of our election coverage. Where deemed appropriate or necessary, in the interests of fair coverage of the general election, adjustments and / or remedial measures will be taken as soon as reasonably practicable to redress any imbalance or inadvertent lack of fairness we discern in our election coverage.
Our election coverage and this statement will be kept under review during the election campaign and adjusted, amended and / or modified as deemed appropriate or necessary over the course of the campaign.
