PRESS RELEASE from PBS NEWSHOUR
June 21, 2012
PBS NEWSHOUR's Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill will Co-anchor Live Prime Time 2012 Convention Coverage

Expanded online coverage provides viewers with "all-access pass" to GOP and Democratic conventions

(Arlington, Va) Long known for providing the most complete primetime coverage of the national political conventions, PBS NEWSHOUR is going to even greater lengths to give viewers a first-hand look at the 2012 party conventions.

Award-winning political journalists Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill will co-anchor gavel-to-gavel broadcast coverage from the PBS Skybox at both the Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL (August 27 - 30) and from the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC (September 4 - 5) as well as the Bank of America Stadium (September 6).

NewsHour Correspondent Hari Sreenivasan will extend the coverage online via the NewsHour's interactive digital map center and "NewsHour All Hours" - a 24-hour livestream on multiple channels that offers viewers an "all-access pass" to the conventions.

On air, PBS special broadcast coverage will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET each night of the conventions and continue LIVE until the conclusion of the proceedings at approximately 11:00 p.m., ET.  The coverage will be interspersed with analysis, interviews and commentary, including:

"The conventions have traditionally been PBS NewsHour's time to shine during the election season and this year is no exception," said Executive Producer Linda Winslow.  "Viewers know we respect their intelligence and that when lawmakers and candidates approach the podium, we're going to step out of the way and let them see and hear the speeches for themselves.  Between speeches, viewers count on our seasoned team of journalists, led by Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill, to hone in on the issues and get explanations in interviews with party leaders, delegates and the candidates or their representatives."

"PBS NewsHour's multi-platform approach will give the public the most up-close and engaging convention coverage available on air and online," said Paula Kerger, PBS President and CEO.  "With news that is trusted, in-depth and independent, our PBS Election 2012 coverage will provide the latest election information whenever and wherever consumers want it."

In presenting the 2011 award to PBS NewsHour, the judges for the Walter Cronkite Award for excellence in television political journalism praised Ifill and Woodruff for "focusing on the issues, talking with real voters and letting the candidates explain themselves." The NewsHour's emphasis on exploring issues in-depth and connecting with real voters extends to www.pbs.org/newshour , where the coverage continues around the clock via the "NewsHour All Hours" livestream.

The livestream coverage will include:

The pairing of veteran political journalists Woodruff and Ifill marks the first time the two have anchored presidential election coverage together and marks a return to the two-anchor format established by Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer.

PBS NEWSHOUR is seen by over 5 million weekly viewers and is also available online, via public radio in select markets and via podcast. The program is produced in association with WETA Washington, D.C., and WNET in New York. Major funding for the PBS NEWSHOUR is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers. www.pbs.org/newshour

For more information on PBS Election 2012, including programming from PBS NEWSHOUR, WASHINGTON WEEK, FRONTLINE and NEED TO KNOW, visit pbs.org/election2012 and follow #pbsElection on Twitter.

 

Contact:
Anne Bell                    
PBS NEWSHOUR      

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Presidential Candidate Gary Bauer congratulated Governor Scott Walker for his win in Wisconsin's recall election, calling it "another sign that taxpayers will award office holders ready to do the hard work of reigning in out-of-control government spending."

Bauer, the chairman of the Campaign for Working Families,  made the following statement:

"I congratulate Governor Scott Walker for his hard-fought victory tonight, and most especially for having the courage of his convictions to fight the good fight. But the victory in Wisconsin is not Scott Walker's alone.  It is a victory for the hard-working taxpayers of Wisconsin, who foot the bill year after year.  It is a victory for common sense over powerful special interests.  It is a victory that taxpayers in every state can celebrate.  It is a victory, yes, even for some union members.

"Since Gov. Walker's reforms were enacted, tens of thousands of state employees have opted to keep more of the money they earn rather than let the public employees union siphon off their hard-earned dollars.  In other words, once given the choice, more than half of the public employees union's members decided that they didn't need the union.  These reforms will pay real dividends for the taxpayers of Wisconsin.  They are the real winners tonight.

"The recall election is a sign of good things to come.  The power of the Big Labor bosses has finally been checked, not just in Wisconsin, but also in scores of other states across the country.  More governors, legislators and taxpayers will be inspired to stand up against the liberal labor unions and do what is truly in the best interests of their communities.  Wisconsin's 10 Electoral College votes are now in play, and the anti-tax, small government movement that swept the country in 2010 is about to sweep Barack Obama out of office in 154 days!"

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1drYR)