SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 CHAIR’S COLUMN Be ‘on guard’ against threats to media freedoms A few years ago, and ironically just days Today, there is no ambiguity in the rhetoric from some corners of the before Independence Day, some members political landscape. Regardless of your political leanings, the idea that the press is “the enemy of the people” or that “truth isn’t truth” should of our state legislature tried to quietly create a sense of urgency and heighten vigilance in all of us. dismantle Wisconsin’s open records laws, Beyond our role as journalists and advocates of the First Amendment, I hoping to restrict the public’s access to hope we all remain vigilant during these turbulent political times. Whether you are at the assignment desk in a TV newsroom in Steve Wexler the inner workings of our elected Rhinelander, an account executive in Wausau, a disc jockey in Shawano, WBA Chair officials—our government. or a news anchor in Madison, the not-so-subtle efforts to limit the Fortunately, broadcasters and other news media made enough noise on constitutionally guaranteed people’s right to know should concern us. the air, online, and in print over the 4th of July holiday to create public As I’ve had the opportunity to lobby on our state association’s behalf pressure to turn back this effort. One state legislator to whom I spoke over the years at the local, state, and national level, I’ve come to realize with at that time told me he “didn’t fully realize what this was,” and that that many of our elected officials truly do understand and respect the he would reverse course now that he understood the importance of the important role we play in a free, American society. Unfortunately, I’ve issue. The explanations from some of our officials were lame and in some also seen arrogance and disregard for the work we do for our cases even dishonest. In short, if it weren’t for the vigilance of our local communities. media, the public’s right to know, and our important role in shining the I hope we’ll stay “on guard” and be ready to shine the bright light of truth light of inspection on our government, would have been sharply whenever we hear from those who, for political gain or other nefarious curtailed. intent, wish to curtail one of our most fundamental freedoms. CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Important Awards Column. 3 wsafety discussion WBA Foundation announces dates for Debates, Broadcast Engineering gubernatorial U. S. Senate Debates . 4 A special session during 2018 WBA Broadcasters Clinic. 5 Clinic are a few of the many the Broadcasters Clinic WBA Serving You . 6 is geared toward all Members in the Spotlight . 8-9 ways the WBA Serves You broadcasters concerned WBA program helps station plan for crisis . 10 about personal and Milwaukee stations team up for Is your station among the list of stations station safety. political debates. 10 Michelle Vetterkind, that participate in the WBA’s NCSA/PEP The session is on Oct. 17 Names in the News . 10 CAE at the Madison Marriott Educators’ Column . 11 program? WBA President West and includes: WBA Assistance Action Plan for The WBA’s If you are on the list on page 14 EEO Compliance . 12 and CEO • Dan Shelley, NCSA/PEP program (and the majority of you, by far, NCSA/PEP program offers many benefits . 14 RTDNA Executive Director is what allows your WBA to provide are)–THANK YOU! If you are not on Jacobs Media: • Tom Allen, Quincy Media Why can’t we sell digital . 16 you with the majority of the many the list, I strongly urge you to take Regional Vice President services/offerings we do. See the list part in this important partnership. WBA Newsroom . 17 • Dave Devereaux-Weber, on page 6. If you have any questions as to how EEO credit available by supporting WBA WORT-FM Board President Foundation Scholarship. 18 the program To help provide you Dues 7% • David Oxenford, Student scholarship competition underway. 18 with an idea as to how works, please Conferences/ Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP Thank you, WBA Foundation. 18 reliant the WBA (like Meetings 13% feel free to me NCSA/PEP directly at • Mike Koval, Madison Police Chief Good Karma to buy 2 Scripps stations in all State Broadcasters 69% • Moderator: Juli Buehler, Milwaukeet. 19 Associations) are on mvetterkind@wi- Public broadcasting begins WLUK-TV NCSA/PEP income, Programs/ broadcasters.org yearlong transition . 19 Services this graph shows the 11% or give me a call Special single-session Educational Support at 800-236-1922. registration is available for Grants Total $9,977 in 2018 . 19 relative contribution of NCSA/PEP income I’d love to talk to this Broadcasters Clinic to the overall WBA 2017 Revenues you! event. Learn more at revenue budget for an average year. Continued on page 2> wi-broadcasters.org. PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Continued from page 1 To highlight a couple of our upcoming events October will be a VERY busy month for your Wisconsin Broadcasters Association WBA/WBA Foundation! Officers & Board of Directors In keeping with our time-honored tradition for the last 30 years, your WBA Foundation will be OFFICERS 2018-2019 hosting debates this fall for the Wisconsin Chair of the Board Steve Wexler Governor and U.S. Senate races. Our E. W. Scripps Company, Milwaukee gubernatorial debate will take place on Friday, Vice Chair - Radio, Chair Elect Oct. 5 in the Madison market and our U.S. Nancy Douglass WLKG-FM, Lake Geneva Senate debate will take place Saturday, Oct. 13 Vice Chair - Television in the Wausau/Rhinelander market. This Broadcasters (NAB) in 1979-81 and President Steve Lavin WBAY-TV, Green Bay continues the well-received practice your WBA (before the official term became “Chair”) of the Treasurer Chris Bernier Radio Plus, Marinette/Fond du Lac Foundation implemented six years ago of using WBA in 1983-84. Norm began his career with Secretary a market-based approach to hosting our debates. WMTV back in 1977 and over the next 38 years Don Vesely WMTV-TV, Madison Both debates will be offered statewide to he helped write, produce, and create much of Immediate Past Chair Wisconsin television/radio stations for live the content that was broadcast on WMTV’s Dick Record Family Radio, La Crosse broadcast. Your WBA Foundation is honored to airwaves. Rick worked with Tom and Norm at BOARD OF DIRECTORS provide these important debates to Wisconsin’s WMTV and was close with both of their families. voters as part of our 30-year history of using Rick started at WMTV as a photographer. A Judson Beck WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV, La Crosse/Eau Claire these debates to promote the civic and political special thank you to Tom and Norm for their vision and support of the Fellowship in memory Lynn Bieritz Mid-West Family Broadcasting, process. We greatly appreciate your support in Eau Claire airing the debates. of our friend Rick. Keith Bratel iHeart Media, Madison Until the next issue of your Wisconsin Juli Buehler WLUK-TV, Green Bay Broadcasters Clinic Oct. 16–18 Broadcaster, don’t forget to enjoy the pleasures at the Madison Marriott our beautiful Wisconsin fall season has to offer. Brian Burns Morgan Murphy Media, Madison Paul Cameron The Family Radio Network, Appleton You won’t want to miss this award-winning, And…of course…thank you—as always—for your time and support! Dave EdwardsWUWM-FM, three-day regional event that last year drew Milwaukee Public Radio, Milwaukee attendees from 24 states. I’d like to congratulate JT Koser Koser Radio Group, Rice Lake/Hayward our own Linda Baun, Kent Aschenbrenner, and Lupita Montoto La Movida WLMV Radio, the entire Clinic Committee for again being Madison recognized by the National Society of Mark Strachota Weigel Broadcasting Co., Broadcasters Engineers for the BEST Regional Milwaukee Convention! Certainly well-deserved! Chuck Sullivan Entercom Communications, Hales The Clinic will offer a Personal Safety in Today’s Corners Broadcasting Environment session. This panel Jan Wade WISN-TV, Milwaukee discussion moderated by Juli Buehler, WLUK TV Jeff Welton Nautel, Hackett’s Cove, Nova Scotia News Director, will offer attendees insights from Michael Wright Midwest Communications, Dan Shelley, RTDNA, Executive Director; Tom Wausau Allen, Quincy Media Regional Vice President; Ex Officio - NAB Board David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP; Tom Walker Madison Police Chief Mike Koval; and David Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Madison Devereaux-Weber, WORT Board President. Staff Make sure to send your engineers. And WBA staff celebrates President & CEO managers, come join us for the exhibits or to anniversaries Michelle Vetterkind, CAE check out sessions. We’d LOVE to have you [email protected] there! You will NOT be disappointed. Three WBA staff members marked work Vice President - Administration To register contact Linda Baun at lbaun@wi- anniversaries in July and August. Linda Baun [email protected] broadcasters .org. Michelle Vetterkind, President and CEO NCSA/PEP Coordinator Liz Boyd [email protected] 23 years on August 28 I recently had the pleasure of having lunch Director of Operations and Public Affairs with WBA Hall of Famer Tom Bolger and Norm Linda Baun, Vice President Kyle Geissler [email protected] Lorenz. Both were instrumental in the creation 12 years on July 17 WBA Board minutes are always available for of our Rick Jowett Fellowship. Rick’s grandfather members. Please email Linda Baun at [email protected] to request a copy. was CEO of Forward Communications, which Liz Boyd, NCSA/PEP Coordinator owned several stations throughout the country, 13 years on July 19 including WMTV in Madison.