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Interviews with news makers and discussion of topics important to Southwest Michigan. Subscribe to the podcast through Apple itunes and Google. Segments of interview are heard in WestSouthwest Brief during Morning Edition and All Things Considered

WSW: Calling Fouls on Political Ads is a Big Job

The Associated Press

When TV ads or other forms of political communication step over the line, the Truth Squad is ready to blow a whistle. 

  

The Truth Squad is produced by Bridge, the online news service of the Center for Michigan. Bridge Senior Editor David Zeman says the Truth Squad focuses on whether an ad is factual. They may call a foul, flagrant foul, issue a warning or determine that no foul is called.

The scrutiny is not limited to political advertising, the Truth Squad also examined the claims in Sunday town hall style debate between Governor Rick Snyder and his Democratic challenger Mark Schauer. Zeman says it's a little more challenging to make the calls on a tight deadline. Afoul was called and a warning issued to Governor Snyder. While two warnings were issued to Schauer. Zeman says the Truth Squad is still examining the former Congressman's claim that changes in taxation on pension income amount to a "job killing pension tax." Zeman says they are waiting to hear back from the Schauer campaign for an explanation. 

davidzeman101514-web.mp3
Interview with David Zeman - web version

A flagrant foul was called on the Michigan Republican Party for a flyer distributed in the 61st state House District, which includes Portage. It directs people to call Democratic John Fisher to express disapproval of the Affordable Care Act. The phone number in the flyer rings at the nursing home bedside of Fisher's 91 year old mother, who is in hospice are. Republican nominee Brandt Iden says his campaign was not involved. Zeman says the party should have at least called to make sure that the number was correct. 

Asked whether the Truth Squad is helping to keep candidates honest, Zeman says the campaigns are lobbying for and against calls by fact checking organizations. He says "If it didn't matter the campaigns wouldn't care what we're printing." But Zeman says the Truth Squad can't keep up with all of the ads that hit the airwaves. He says they try to give readers and viewers "the tools for being better consumers of political information." 

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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