New Growth Fight Arena--What’s Fair on the Air?

KFMB and Citizens for Limited Growth, the group supporting Propositions D and J on tomorrow’s ballot, can’t agree on what is fair.

The slow-growth group has been invoking the Fairness Doctrine to force local radio and television stations to air its commercials. The group says it cannot afford any commercial time to offset its well-financed opponent’s commercials.

Television stations KGTV (Channel 10) and KNSD (Channel 39) agreed, as did eight local radio stations. In fact, every station the group approached agreed except KFMB, which operates Channel 8, KFMB-AM (760) and KFMB-FM (100).

The Federal Communications Commission declared the Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcasters to air opposing views, unconstitutional in August, 1987. However, that decision is being appealed in the courts, and it is still debatable whether the decision applies to ballot measures as well as candidates. Most still follow the Fairness Doctrine guidelines, although it is now up to the discretion of each station.

KFMB, like almost every other broadcast outlet in town, has given free ads to the pro-Proposition 99 forces, in order to offset massive spending by the tobacco industry. However, a KFMB official said so little money had been spent by opponents of Propositions D and J, and the issues have been covered so thoroughly by the news departments, that it was unnecessary to give free time to the slow-growth group.

“We feel we’ve really covered it,” KFMB general sales manager Peter Hallisay said.

Most stations have established a ratio to determine how many free spots will be given out to Citizens for Limited Growth, a common practice in these types of cases. In most cases, the pro D and J forces are receiving one free spot for every three purchased by opponents.

“KFMB is not dealing in good faith, in terms of coming up with a compromise and adhering to the Fairness Doctrine,” said Citizens for Limited Growth campaign director Linda Bernhardt, who holds a doctorate in law.

When contacted Friday, representatives of several local broadcast outlets said they were more than willing to follow the guidelines of the Fairness Doctrine to make time for Citizens for Limited Growth, although many said they prefer to decide for themselves what is fair and what is not.

“We usually comply with anybody that requests time,” KSDO-AM (1130) general manager Mike Shields said. “We think it’s our responsibility.”

Hallisay said KFMB consulted with its legal representatives in Washington to clarify its position before choosing not to honor Citizens for Limited Growth’s request.

“Sometimes its easier just to say yes, which is what has happened for years,” he said.

Citizens for Limited Growth may file a complaint against KFMB with the FCC after the election, Bernhardt said. Such a complaint may carry some weight, should the courts reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.

“Stations have a choice of doing what they wish,” said Milton Gross, chief of the FCC’s political branch. “If they wish to deny a request, it is possible a complaint will be filed and that we will investigate.”

Does he or doesn’t he? A dumb question, it turns out, because it was obvious Sun Up co-host Jerry G. Bishop had dyed his hair when he showed up Wednesday morning with his gray hair almost completely black. He had intended to take out just a little of the gray, but it didn’t work out that way. “It looked like I was wearing a black beret,” Bishop said. He surprised everyone, including his wife and his producer, neither of whom was amused. Sun Up was debuting a new set that morning, and they weren’t quite ready to debut the new Jerry as well. By the next morning’s show, streaks of gray were already starting to reappear in his hair . . .

It’s simply wonderful that ABC anchorman Peter Jennings decided to come to San Diego last week, but who really cares? Certainly few reporters would be desperate enough to call Jennings for his expert opinion on San Diego politics, as Channel 10 did in its seemingly never-ending zeal to promote its own network during the news. All network affiliate news shows promote network shows, but Channel 10 always seems to go a step beyond. For further evidence, check out the orgy of news show promotions Channel 10 runs for “War and Rememberances,” the miniseries beginning Nov. 13 . . .

A follow-up to last week’s comment about Channel 39 reporter Bill Ritter’s anniversary salutation to San Diego Newsline: In fact, the $50 ad--”Since I bought this ad, will you endorse me if I run for office?”--was a repeat from last year, as were several of this year’s ads. Publisher Larry Remer sent out notices to the advertisers saying that if they did not respond the ad would be run again. Ritter says he wasn’t contacted and doesn’t plan to pay, but Remer said he would bill him anyway. “If he doesn’t pay we’ll talk,” Remer said . . .

After a local vagrant was found washing his feet in the building’s urinals, Channel 10 decided it was time to bulk up security . . .

Channel 39 must have made some public relations person very, very happy last week, when it did a very cheesy news feature on an airline giving away free trips to seniors . . .

Answering a silly question from a Channel 10 viewer about athletes receiving gifts to be on television shows, demonstrating the dangers of live phone-in segments, the Chargers’ Billy Ray Smith quipped, “I would rather be home watching ‘Green Acres’ than sitting here with Larry Sacknoff, I swear to you.”