Utah Public Broadcasters Join Forces for 2012 Elections
Utah Public Radio and Utah’s public broadcasters have joined together in a unique collaboration to inform voters statewide about candidates and issues. Working together under the banner of VoteUtah 2012, the innovative project represents a balanced, informative commitment to explore the political process and provide avenues for citizen engagement.
UPR has teamed with KUED-Channel 7, KBYU-Channel 11 and the Utah Education Network and public radio stations Classical 89/KBYU FM, KCPW-Salt Lake City, KPCW-Park City, KZMU-Moab, KCEC-TV St. George and KXDS 91.3 St. George.
“This is a collaboration of public broadcasters to serve voters,” said KUED Production Director Ken Verdoia. “Each of us has public service as our primary mission. We’re conducting a major initiative for the people we serve. It shows the engagement and durability of public broadcasting.”
The collaboration includes radio and television in a statewide effort.
“Eleven, KBYU-TV and KBYU-FM/Classical 89 are honored to be participating with UPR, KUED and KUEN as well as Utah’s other public broadcasters in the VoteUtah 2012 collaboration,” said KBYU General Manager Derek Marquis. “Through the television, radio and online offerings on the candidates and the issues this election season, our hope is that Utahns will be in a better position to raise their individual and collective voices as informed and active participants in this great democratic process.”
A central element of the VoteUtah 2012 collaboration is the website, voteutah.org, which includes information on all candidates running for office in Utah, from those running for senate, congressional and gubernatorial seats to state legislative and school district candidates. The site also contains registration and voting district information and links, as well as streaming of televised debates. In addition, the website serves as a repository for election reports and coverage from participating stations.
“UPR is thrilled to be participating in the VoteUtah 2012 collaboration with Utah’s broadcasters,” said Utah Public Radio News Director Kerry Bringhurst. “This project will provide information on the candidates and issues through the state’s public radio and TV stations, as well as a strong online presence. We hope to raise awareness and enable Utahns to better participate in the democratic process.”
The first in a series of political debates airing on UPR begins Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. between Utah House District 4 candidates Ed Redd (R) and Doug Thompson (D). A repeat of the debate airs Monday, Sept. 24, during Access Utah at 9 a.m. Then, UPR joins with KUED to produce an hour-long gubernatorial debate between incumbent Gary Herbert and Democrat Peter Cook to air on Utah Public Radio Thursday, Oct. 11, at 9 p.m., with a repeat of the program during UPR’s Access Utah, Friday, Oct. 12, at 9 a.m. The debate will be moderated by KUED’s Ken Verdoia.
Utah Public Radio’s Access Utah host Tom Williams will moderate a debate between 2nd Congressional District Candidates Chris Stewart (R) and Jay Seegmiller (D) Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. The debate will air live Wednesday night on UPR with a repeat of the debate Thursday, Oct. 25, at 9 a.m.
Support for UPR’s coverage of the SUU debate is made possible through Southern Utah University — University Services and Southern Utah University — Office of Regional Services.
UPR will join VoteUtah 2012 for live election night coverage from the UPR and KBYU-TV studios, and will feature exit polling and candidate coverage hosted by KUED’s Verdoia and BYU political science professor David Magleby, who has offered years of comprehensive exit polling to accurately forecast the outcome of Utah’s elections.
UPR is also broadcasting a series of Voter Information Spots produced by KBYU-TV designed to inform voters about the political process in Utah, encourage participation and provide information on voter registration, redistricting, open and closed primaries, the roll of polling and statistics, the caucus process and why voter turnout in Utah is so low. KBYU is also producing short information segments on ballot components.
Utah Education Network, with its connection to schools statewide, is creating and distributing educational material for the project.
“It’s important to connect teens and young adults with VoteUtah 2012,” said Laura Hunter, UEN’s chief content officer. “They are very interested in community issues and can contribute to the civic dialogue in a constructive way that benefits all of us.”
Utah Public Radio’s news team will be covering election news throughout the state and will share those reports with the VoteUtah 2012 collaborators.
For information on UPR’s involvement in VoteUtah 2012, contact: Kerry Bringhurst, 435-797-3152, kerry.bringhurst@usu.edu.
About Utah Public Radio
Utah Public Radio, a service of Utah State University and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is Utah’s oldest public radio service and a member station of National Public Radio. With a network of five full-power, HD-enhanced stations and 30 translators, UPR’s coverage area includes more than half of Utah’s population. UPR also has live streaming and news available at its website.
Related links:
USU College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Writer: Jennifer Pemberton, jennifer.pemberton@usu.edu
Contact: UPR, Kerry Bringhurst 435-797-3152 kerry.bringhurst@usu.edu
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