GOAL OF NBA DEBATES:
INFORMED NEVADANS WHO WILL VOTE
It seems hard to believe that more than six months have passed since the NBA Executive Committee sat down together in Washington, D.C. to discuss whether or not the association would organize and produce both a Governor Debate and a Senator Debate.
The financial cost to the association would be significant, but nothing compared to the collective air time shared between 50-60 statewide television and radio stations who would donate one hour, on two consecutive Thursday nights in October-- all in the name of public service.
Thom Porterfield, in his first year serving as Board Chairman defined the goal of NBA Debates in a few simple sentences: "As broadcasters, we want informed Nevadans who will vote. As broadcasters, it is our obligation to provide this opportunity for our viewers and listeners.
Over the past six months, the NBA has been working hard to present a fair and unbiased and professional event where the candidates who met the established guidelines to debate, would tell the public what they will each bring to the table as our next Governor and as our next Senator. The problems are complicated and complex -- both as a state and as a nation. Thus, we hope that the public will hear solutions as viewed through the philosophy and experience prism of each candidate -- to better understand what their priorities will be for the next four years, and for the next six years.
Today, the NBA is informing all General Managers through e-mail and Adrienne Abbott is informing all television and radio engineers through e-mail all the specific information regarding the 6 PM Governor Debate on October 7, 2010; and the 6 PM Senator Debate on October 14, 2010.
We are both honored and humbled to provide this extraordinary opportunity. We are all in this together and that is the great strength of this association. We sincerely hope that due to the importance of this year's election, all stations will donate two hours of their time to do our part.
DEBATE QUESTIONS TO BE FORMULATED IN STATIONS
Both candidates for Governor and for Senator have agreed to the debate questions being formulated by television and radio news directors. Some stations have already asked if they can open up questions being submitted by their viewers and listeners. The more questions submitted to the Nevada Broadcasters Association, the more consensus on what questions will be asked.
GOVERNOR DEBATE DEADLINE MONDAY, OCT 4
SENATOR DEBATE DEADLINE MONDAY, OCT 11
All questions need to be submitted no later than 5 PM on the deadline date. All questions should be submitted to RDFNBA@aol.com from the stations, not the public. The public will submit directly to the station and the news director will then submit the questions to the NBA.
KLAS HONORED AS LAS VEGAS BUSINESS PRESS
BEST WORKPLACES 2010 100-999 EMPLOYEES
"To Inform, To Connect and Inspire"
When ever a local television or radio station receives significant recognition, all Nevada television and radio stations should be proud of their achievement. This week, the LAS VEGAS BUSINESS PRESS announced the BEST WORKPLACES 2010. Companies were nominated by their own employees.
Honored as the BEST WORKPLACE for 100-999 Employees was KLAS-TV. Among the noted achievements of the Las Vegas CBS affiliate was a monthly newsletter; regular department staff meetings; a New Hire Workshop; a library of training seminars; job sharing programs and telecommuting options; flag football and softball teams; Gr8Days -- through which different departments take turns hosting office parties and employee posting of thank-you notes.
Perhaps most significant was a $1,000 show of appreciation to full-time workers for embracing the KLAS-TV/8NewsNow's expanded delivery platform, which goes beyond television news and into online and mobile applications.
Equally significant was the highly respected Community Pride programs.
The article which appeared in the BUSINESS PRESS was written by Jennifer Robison. She also wrote about how Landmark Media Enterprises -- owners of the station, maintained the 75% share of employee health costs; and the continued matching of employee contributions to its 401(k) plan.
Congratulations to General Manager Emily Neilson and to her entire team.
