1 WTVT – Tampa, FL This report covers the time period November 1, 2005 to October 31, 2007 (except where otherwise specifically noted). I. PROGRAMMING: a. Local Newscasts: WTVT airs 52½ hours of local news each week, at the following times: Monday – Friday: 5 a.m. – 9 a.m. Monday – Friday: 12 noon – 1 p.m. Monday – Friday: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Sunday: 10 p.m.. – 11 p.m. Monday – Friday: 11 p.m. – 11:35 p.m. (effective 12/12/05) Saturday – Sunday: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Saturday – Sunday: 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. (effective 8/26/06) Saturday – Sunday: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. In 36% of these time periods, WTVT is the exclusive provider of local news. b. Breaking News: WTVT broke into and/or preempted regularly scheduled programming on numerous occasions during the period covered by this report in order to bring its viewers breaking news or disaster information. This coverage included extended reporting on severe wea ther warnings, amber alerts, school closings, and other emergencies. A comprehensive list of cut‐ins and crawls is attached as Exhibit 1. c. Local News Stories: Provided below is a brief summary of important local news stories and recurring segment shows that aired during the report period: i. Consumer Lawyer: FOX13 has a consumer lawyer on staff to assist viewers with consumer problems. Some examples of stories aired are as follows: • Ford Motor update 11/1/05): Local Ford owners’ vehicles are bursting into flames • New car smells (11/7/05): Car makers are researching the toxicity of scents • TJ Maxx’s Peridot (11/9/05): Local investigation shows that half the stones are fakes. 2 ii. FOX13’s Investigative Team: Examples of stories aired by the “I‐ Team” during the report period are: • No Sunshine on the Skyway (11/28/05): An examination of the current shabby condition of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and its maintenance. • School Zone or Speed Trap? (2/22/2006): A look at how police in a small town are bending the rules to write speeding tickets • Need Painkillers? (5/22/2006): We go inside a pain clinic passing out prescriptions to addicts. The day of our story, the clinic is busted. • Gouged before the Storm (7/16/2007): A city‐run gas company is trying to make extra money off customers who are preparing for a hurricane A comprehensive list of the station’s local news stories is attached hereto as Exhibit 2. d. Public Affairs Programming: WTVT broadcasts Your Turn, a Monday to Friday, 30‐minute program that covers issues of the day, including interviews with newsmakers and panel discussions. A sample of programs aired during the report period is: • Building a Hurricane House (1/10/06): A look at the new technologies that can be used to build a house that can withstand a Category 4 hurricane. • Interview with radio talk show host Michael Medved, author of "Right Turns: Unconventional Lessons from a Controversial Life" and "The Fifty Worst Films of All Time" • John Fitzgibbons, Debra LaFave's attorney (teacher accused of an intimate relationship with a student), speaks out after reaching a plea agreement with authorities. WTVT also broadcasts Fox News Sunday and America’s Black Forum, a 30‐ minute syndicated program that addresses African American issues. A list of all public affairs programming is attached as Exhibit 3. e. Political Programming: i. Your Turn, a weekly in‐studio produced program, covers political issues of the day, including interviews with elected officials and panel discussions. Recent topics on Your Turn have included: • Imperial Grunts: The American Military on the Ground (11/1/05): Robert Kaplan, veteran correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly, discusses his new book that details stories 3 of the "new" American soldier, small elite groups carrying out covert missions across the globe. • Reporting from the Front Lines (11/3/05): FOX13 Reporter Mark Wilson and Photojournalist Coy Hopson just back from their trip to Iraq ii. Political Coverage: WTVT has developed extensive coverage to political issues important to its viewers, including a visit by President Bush stumping for local Republican candidates, voter registration drive in Hillsborough County, numerous tax issues (property, education, etc.) and amending the city’s noise ordinance. iii. Coverage of Town Hall Meetings, Debates and Public Forums: • Immigration debate on English only law (7/1/06) • Gubernatorial Forum in St. Petersburg, FL (7/7/07) • In‐studio debate between Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Jim Davis and Rod Wilson • Debate between Florida Attorney General candidates Attached hereto as Exhibit 4 is a detailed list of WTVT’s political programming. f. Awards and Recognition: 6 Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards (2007) 2 Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards (2006) 2 Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards (2005) Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists Griot Drum Award (2006, 2007) Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine State Award (2007) 4 Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine State Awards (2005) National Press Photographer’s Association, Best of Journalism Award (2005) 2006 Edward R. Murrow Regional Award (2006) Florida AP Broadcasters Competition Winners (2007) Tampa Bay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Public Service Award (2005) A comprehensive list of awards received is attached as Exhibit 5. Letters of Appreciation from members of the community are attached as Exhibit 5A‐C. 4 III. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS (PSAs) For the period January 8‐21, 2007, 63 minutes of PSAs were aired. Topics included V‐Chip; educating parents about blocking TV content, seatbelt safety, after school programs, drunk driving prevention, online sexual predators, kids car seat safety, and adoption. For the week of June 11‐24, 2007, 65 minutes of PSAs were aired. Topics included V‐Chip; educating parents about blocking TV content, seatbelt safety, after school programs, drunk driving prevention, online sexual predators, kids car seat safety, and adoption. A comprehensive list of PSAs broadcast by WTVT is attached as Exhibit 6. IV. PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY WTVT is committed to hearing from members of the community, and affords its viewers with many ways to share their thoughts and opinions. Included in these are: • Your Turn, a regular segment during WTVT’s noon newscast which allows viewers to call‐in and participate in the daily discussion • WTVT’s website includes links for e‐mailing the station, including: “Story Ideas,” “News Feedback,” “Your Turn,” “Community Events,” “FOX13 Invesitgates,” “What’s Right with Tampa Bay,” “Breaking News/Tips,” “Consumer Lawyer,” and “Programming Questions.” • WTVT placed newspaper ads celebrating Black History Month in 2006 and 2007 in the Florida Sentinel Bulletin, a local paper serving the African‐ American community. WTVT also placed an ad celebrating Hispanic Heritage in 2007 on La Gaceta, a local paper serving a multi‐cultural audience, including Hispanics • WTVT was involved in numerous outreach initiatives, including a mentoring program to identify and implement career ladder promotional avenues, internship programs in news, weather and sales available to college students, sponsoring and participating in ThirTEEN magazine, a weekly newscast aired on WTVT produced by local high school students, and hosting, co‐sponsoring or participating in job fairs, conventions, career days, workshops and similar activities sponsored by organizations representing groups interested in broadcast employment issues. 5 Station Employees participate as directors or members in many community organizations and diversity organizations such as: • Member, National Association of Black Journalists • Board Member, Crimestoppers • President, West Central Florida Chapter American Meteorological Society • Contributing member ‐ Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center • Member, Investigative Reporters and Editors • Emcee, 2005 Veteran’s Day Observations on SS American Victory • Speaker, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • Celebrity Auctioneer, ART FORLIFE A comprehensive list of the station’s participation in the community and ascertainments is attached as Exhibit 7. V. WEBSITE: MyFoxTampaBay (MFTB) The station's Web site, MyFoxNY.com, has a mission dedicated to providing prompt delivery of localized information to its viewing audience. News segments from every newscast are posted daily. Stories are updated frequently, and web‐exclusive stories are posted daily. Developing stories that include detours, evacuations, closings, or other emergency information are published into prominent places on the website and often include more details than can be shared on the air. Every video package aired on FOX13 is saved on MFTB for on‐demand streaming video access. The weather section on MFTB includes current conditions, a text‐based seven‐ day forecast, animated radar and satellite imagery, live severe weather watches and warnings, storm trackers, and marine weather conditions. The ten radar views are the most powerful offered in the U.S. and are accessible 24/7 on MFTB. There is a new video forecast published for on‐demand access five times a day, and more frequently during threatening weather. FOX13 meteorologists participate in live online chats, allowing viewers to question them directly about local weather topics. They also post blogs several times a week. The website also offers a special text and video‐based hurricane preparation guide for pre‐ season preparation and storm‐specific information (when necessary). This information is broken down on a county‐by‐county and town‐by‐town basis. MFTB includes a live traffic map that is updated throughout the day with traffic slowdowns, accidents, closures, detours, and other travel‐related information. The website also contains a section that allows travelers in the Tampa Bay area to check flight delays and cancellations at local and national airports. "Traffic" is one of six main blog sections. WTVT’s traffic reporter posts several blogs each 6 week with details about current and future road construction projects. It also allows viewers to post their own thoughts about traffic problems, solutions, and coverage. The local professional and collegiate sports teams' games, stats, players, and more are all provided in text form, but the focus of the online page is primarily on high school sports.