Media Watchdog Files Legal Challenges with FCC - Stations Gave $1M in Free Airtime to Scott Walker

MILWAUKEE, WI – A national media watchdog announced today it has filed petitions with the Federal Communications Commission – on behalf of citizens of the greater Milwaukee area – to deny radio licenses to Clear Channel’s WISN-AM and Journal Communications’ WTMJ-AM. These legal challenges – unlike citizen petitions – can deny the stations’ right to hold licenses to broadcast to the greater community of Milwaukee, including Rep. Paul Ryan’s district.

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MAC said it conducted a comprehensive study in May/June of 2012 – during the Scott Walker recall campaign – which clearly showed the two stations each gave supporters of Gov. Walker and the GOP about 80 minutes of free airtime daily on their local talk radio shows, while refusing any access to supporters of Mayor Tom Barrett and Democrats whatsoever.

In total, the two stations subsidized the Walker campaign with an estimated $1 million dollars in airtime. The study documents that WISN and WTMJ hosts and guests not only exclusively promoted GOP candidates, but actively recruited volunteers for GOP campaigns over the publicly-owned airwaves, while refusing to provide any free airtime for the other side.

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“Broadcast stations have a unique duty to serve the entire public, especially during campaigns,” explains MAC director Sue Wilson. “When a radio station uses its giant microphones to cheerlead for candidates of only one political party, no matter which political party it may be, it violates the First Amendment rights and public trust of the entire community.