Salem OR Radio: Political Candidate Gets Free Equal Airtime

Barbara Jensen

A campaign dispute about Bill Post’s Salem OR radio talk show has been settled by N/T KYKN 1430 AM by giving Post’s Republican primary opponent Barbara Jensen 566 minutes of airtime, according to the Statesman-Journal.

“Although I’m not a professional radio talk show host, I feel that we were able to use the airtime in a way that helps our community get to the bottom of critical issues,” Jensen said in a statement. “I wanted to give voters deeper insight into some of the issues and causes I care about, and showcase those issues for KYKN listeners.”

Jensen will host three, one-hour round table discussions set to air at 3 p.m. on April 29, April 30 and May 1. The segments will focus on

education, small business and veterans issues.

Post announced he was running for the open seat in House District 25 in December, and Jensen entered the race in mid-February.

The issue for the Jensen campaign was that Post continued his daily show after Jensen entered the race. Her campaign alleged this violated Federal Communications Commission regulations—an allegation Post and the radio have denied.

KYKN's general manager Mike Frith previously told the Statesman Journal that FCC officials said Post could continue his show until an opponent filed a letter with the station asking for equal access.

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