"Four years ago, Chicago's WTTW Channel 11 set [a] historical precedent by being the first television station in America to offer free air time to political candidates. Candidate Free Time gives candidates running for local and federal offices the rare opportunity to address our viewing public in an environment free of interruptions and edited sound bites. The station provided staff, facilities, equipment and air time. "Channel 11 pioneered Candidate Free Time in 1992. We offered free air time to Illinois candidates running for United States Senate -- Republican Rich Williamson and Democrat Carol Moseley-Braun. In 1994, WTTW again offered Candidate Free Time to eight Democratic and Republican candidates in four major elections. In 1996, we expanded our coverage. Presentations were completed by candidates for U.S. Senate from Illinois, 12 Illinois Congressional Districts, two Indiana Congressional Districts, Indiana Governor and the Cook County Offices of State's Attorney, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder of Deeds. Their two-minute segments were combined to create three 30 minute programs, which were broadcast in prime time throughout October. In June, Bill McCarter, president of WTTW Channel 11, was invited by the Federal Communication Commission to testify before a distinguished panel of congressional and regulatory leaders about the importance of Candidate Free Time. He encouraged television stations nationwide to use their medium to help inform the electorate and facilitate the process. Channel 11's commitment to Candidate Free Time inspired discussions among the networks and provided a positive forum for candidates to share key messages with viewers. In designing Candidate Free Time, our goals were threefold -- to assist the candidates, better inform the public on issues that would affect their lives and hopefully play a small part in reversing voting apathy."--1996 Peabody Awards entry form.
