New county TV policy issued

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Jan. 24, 2002 | 8:38 a.m.

A draft policy governing the use of Clark County's government access channel was released Wednesday, four months after critics claimed elected officials who appeared on the station during election season gained unfair advantages.

The new guidelines, which have yet to meet final approval, says elected officials are not allowed to appear on certain programs after they file for re-election or another office.

The policy was drafted after Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera, a candidate for the seat in the 3rd Congressional District, made a public service announcement on the county's Channel 4 in November.

Pete O'Neil, the Independent Party's candidate for the same seat, argued that Herrera's 30-second spot on the county's new prescription drug program amounted to free publicity -- and therefore an unfair advantage -- over his opponents.

The new guidelines prohibit elected officials running for office from being involved in "stand-alone" interviews, narrating programs or making public service announcements after they have filed for office.

Politicians are also not permitted to appear on interview shows such as Clark "County Connection" or "Desert Diaries," the policy says.

"Incumbent elected officials will be shown and heard via Channel 4 in their duties as elected officials representing their constituents, such as in regularly scheduled public meetings," the policy says.

If Channel 4 producers choose to air election night coverage, descriptions of ballot questions are required to include both sides of an issue. County officials involved in the race cannot receive more play than their opponent or their opponent's party, according to the policy draft.