46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003
REQUESTING SUPPORTING A PROPOSAL CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REQUIRE INCREASED MEDIA COVERAGE OF CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS AND A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF FREE AIR TIME TO CANDIDATES AS A CONDITION OF RECEIVING BROADCAST LICENSES.
WHEREAS, running for political office has become prohibitively expensive for most ordinary citizens; and
WHEREAS, many citizens believe radio and television stations do not provide sufficient information about election issues and candidates; and
WHEREAS, the nation's broadcast television and radio stations are scaling back on substantive coverage of candidates and campaign issues even as they raise their advertising rates to take advantage of the increased demand for advertising air time generated by elections; and
WHEREAS, the increased cost and reduced flow of campaign communication on broadcast television and radio has created an unfair advantage for wealthy candidates and candidates with access to monied special interests, an unhealthy development for our democracy; and
WHEREAS, the broadcast airwaves belong to the people; and
WHEREAS, the people, through the federal government, have provided exclusive licenses to broadcasters to operate within assigned frequencies on these airwaves, but only on the condition that they serve the public interest; and
WHEREAS, this "public interest" standard must include providing opportunities for candidates to deliver, and for citizens to receive, a free and open flow of information just prior to elections so that citizens can make informed voting decisions;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it support a proposal endorsed by the free air time coalition that calls on the federal government to require that all broadcasters provide increased coverage of campaigns and elections and a reasonable amount of free air time to candidates just prior to elections as a condition of receiving their broadcast licenses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation.