The National Association of Broadcasters has published its 2024 Election Toolkit for Broadcasters on its website. The resource is designed to provide both radio and TV outlets helpful tools as coverage ramps up toward Election Day on Nov. 5.
“When it comes to informing and motivating citizens, no platform is more trusted than broadcast television and radio,” the NAB said in a press release. “Local stations and broadcast networks serve a vital role in helping Americans appreciate the importance of exercising their right to participate in the democratic process.”
NAB’s Election Toolkit organized into five sections — each designed to assist with the spread of misinformation, help drive get-out-the-vote efforts and provide a framework to stations for covering local, state and federal elections.
Links to several fact-checking resources are included to assist with verifying claims. “Stations should exercise caution before relying on online information for news reports,” the NAB said in the toolkit’s “Informing Voters” section. “Train staff to better distinguish between accurate and inaccurate information online to ensure trustworthy news reports.”
Radio and TV PSAs to encourage voter participation are available for download in 30- and 15-second versions in both English and Spanish. The PSAs were produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters’ Vote411.org. Four different ready-to-read scripts for radio station on-air talent are also included in the toolkit.
Finally, the toolkit provides a section with examples of what broadcasters are currently doing to combat misinformation and emphasize trustworthy news reporting. Audacy’s Looped In: Chicago podcast series and iHeartMedia’s Philadelphia Community Podcast are among the examples mentioned.
“Research suggests only about a third of Americans believe the upcoming 2024 election will be both honest and open and nearly two-thirds believe that disinformation will influence the outcome,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt in the release. “Broadcasters’ trusted local journalism combats the overwhelming tide of misinformation and disinformation online, making our role in providing accurate information this election season more important than ever.”
The NAB is seeking additional examples of fact-checking projects, civic news coverage and voter education public service efforts from broadcasters. Send details via email to [email protected], or broadcasters can tag @nabtweets on X and add the hashtag #WeAreBroadcasters.
