Apparently something is “amuck” with Utah’s KSL Radio political advertising policies. Here are some conversations I’ve heard recently:
From an office holder:There is an apparent discrepancy in the way KSL Radio was accepting ads from political candidates. Candidates for office in Salt Lake County were told that only ads for federal candidates would be sold, but then the campaign of Democratic sheriff’s candidate Jim Winder got wind that the station agreed to sell ads to his Republican opponent, Sheriff Aaron Kennard. KSL quickly agreed to sell ads to Winder. Well, it has happened again. When other local candidates heard Kennard and Winder had spots, they asked if they, too, could buy time. But they were told the situation with the sheriff’s candidates was a fluke: No other local ads. Then, last week, members of the campaign of Democratic District Attorney candidate Sim Gill heard an ad on KSL Radio for his Republican opponent, Lohra Miller. When they complained, KSL said it was a mistake they were not notified about the policy change, and they were allowed to buy time.
From a candidate:I saw the KSL “oddity” firsthand. My campaign was told that KSL would not take any ads for County Council candidates — only D.A., Sheriff, and Federal races. So . . . I committed my remaining funds to other media. When it was too late to come up with any more $$ I heard the first KSL ad for my opponent. When I pressed the issue, they told me they could still “fit me in” with a few spots.But . . .as I said . . . my funds were committed elsewhere.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 