Question about WRAL

[octoberlib]

Does it lean conservative or just pro whoever's in office? I live in the Charlotte area and am wondering whether to trust their polls.

[retrowire]

1. I think they've always leaned conservative.

Just like other major media, they tend to skew away from Bernie.

[octoberlib]

2. In this instance I was questioning their coverage of HB2 and McCrory.

The Charlotte Observer has been lambasting McCrory and the NCGA every day. Not seeing the same coverage on WRAL.

[retrowire]

3. Well yeah,

Since Charlotte was the city that started this thing with the RIGHT IDEA of protecting LGBT rights, their publication would be most in opposition of it. I'm glad they're doing so.

WRAL however, I do believe has always kissed the governors ass.

[blm]

4. WRAL and TWC news are totally in the bag for McCrory and NCGOP.

Especially TWC - as soon as GOP took over they rushed through a bill blocking municipalities from making internet access available at a low price for their citizens….like they did in Salisbury.

TWC helped them get elected and protects them every step of the way now.

WBTV has been the best, imo, especially in covering the toll lanes that McCrory contracted out to a for-profit Spanish company - part of BushInc.

[nclib]

5. WRAL is owned by Capital Broadcasting Company

The president and CEO of Capital Broadcasting Company is Jim Goodman. He's made many contributions to democratic candidates. Sometimes I think WRAL goes out of it's way to appear fair.

[D Gary Grady]

9. I agree; I see no sign of conservative bias

They have been out front in covering all the negatives about HB2, from the lesser-known provisions (e.g., keeping localities from raising the minimum wage) to prominently reporting on the resulting economic damage. When McCrory issued a statement purporting to "correct myths" about the "common sense" law, WRAL's in-house fact check demolished what he said and gave it their lowest possible rating for truthfulness.

Yes, Jesse Helms was Executive VP for New Operations at WRAL-TV 1960-1972. With respect to those who think otherwise, I don't think that half-century-old connection is all one needs to know about the station today. I don't mean to suggest that WRAL is flawless or that it leans to the left, but I see no evidence it leans to the right or particularly favors McCrory. For example, another fact check suggested that an anti-McCrory ad was partly misleading, but it also pointed out that the factual assertions were largely correct and that the ad was no more misleading than pro-McCrory ads attacking his opponents.

[mwooldri]

6. Jesse Helms old station.

I think that says enough about Capitol Broadcasting Company. They kept him from 1960 to 1972.

[nclib]

7. I remember seeing him on WRAL back then.

I really disliked him. He was actually a democrat until 1970. I never understood how North Carolinians could keep voting him into office.

I guess I don't associate WRAL with Jesse Helms anymore because that was so long ago. The Goodmon's have done some good things like help to revitalize downtown Durham.

[octoberlib]

8. Thanks all!