With Election Day fast approaching, KBYU-TV and Classical 89 are working to inform the local community about this year's candidates and issues.
BYU Broadcasting's election coverage will include in-studio debates, candidate interviews, analysis by BYU political science professors and a documentary about Utah County's transportation issues.
The debates will begin tonight at 9 with candidates in the 1st Congressional District, Rob Bishop and Steve Olsen, said Mark Phillips, producer for the coverage. Two of the candidates in the 3rd Congressional District, Chris Cannon and Christian Burridge, will debate on Friday.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Jim Matheson declined to debate, citing scheduling conflicts, Phillips said. Instead, interviews with Matheson and opponent LaVar Christensen will air on Thursday.
"A lot of people are content to listen to what is said about races on TV newscasts, and they may hear 30 seconds of a candidate's remarks, but this is an opportunity to hear more," Phillips said. "We give viewers a largely unfiltered exposure to the candidates and let them hear them directly."
BYU broadcasting has been involved in election coverage since the 1970s, said Christine Nokleby, marketing director for Classical 89.
"We've had some marvelous programs," Nokleby said. "It's really kept the audience on the pulse."
Part of the election coverage is a documentary produced by BYU Broadcasting, "Who goes there?," which addresses transportation issues in Utah County.
"It's a big deal right now," said Stephen Shimek, associate producer for the documentary. "Since [transportation] is something that's being voted on right now, it became a part of the election coverage."
Fixing transportation problems generally involves either taxes or tolls, Shimek said. "In order for any of that to happen, people have to be voting."
The documentary will be broadcast on KBYU-FM during a discussion of ballot issues Monday night at 9.
In addition to the pre-election coverage, BYU Broadcasting will have live coverage on Election Day, Phillips said. The coverage will include results from the KBYU/Utah Colleges exit poll, live remotes from Democrat- and Republican-party headquarters in Salt Lake City and interviews with candidates.
"A lot of times we're not completely aware of the issues that we might be voting for or against," Shimek said. "We're giving everybody a better rounded view."
To watch or listen online, visit byubroadcasting.org.
Election coverage on KBYU-TV and Classical 89
Today at 9 p.m.: 1st Congressional District debate.
Thursday at 9 p.m.: Interviews with key candidates, including the 2nd Congressional District.
Friday at 9 p.m.: 3rd Congressional District debate.
Monday at 9 p.m.: Discussion of ballot issues and "Who goes there?" documentary - KBYU-TV only
Tuesday, Nov. 7: Election Day coverage, beginning at 6 p.m. on KBYU-TV. Hourly updates on Classical 89 beginning at 8 p.m.
Copyright Brigham Young University 31 Oct 2006
