6 Radio Stations Give Air Time to Measure A Backers

Three days before the vote, backers of Orange County’s slow-growth initiative have won free air time over six Southland radio stations by invoking an abolished broadcasting rule, the Fairness Doctrine.

Tom Rogers, founder of the ballot initiative, said Federal Communications Commission spokesmen told him his group might qualify for equal air time because abolition of the Fairness Doctrine last year was not intended to relieve broadcasters of the obligation to air opposing views.

Rogers said disclosure statements show the major opponent of Measure A, Citizens for Sensible Traffic Solutions, has spent $80,000 for radio commercials claiming that the initiative will raise taxes and worsen traffic.

In contrast, Measure A supporters have raised only $70,000 altogether, Rogers said. To qualify for free and equal time, groups must show they are composed of citizens and cannot afford to buy air time, Rogers said.

Airing Today

Rogers’ one-minute commercials will air today and Monday on stations KFWB, KKGO, KBIG, KFAC, KWIZ and KYMS. He said he plans to file a complaint with the FCC against the radio stations that turned him down, KWVE and KNX.

“All the stations were very gracious,” Rogers said. “KFAC said they had been trying to locate me. They felt they had a moral obligation and didn’t realize maybe it was a legal obligation. KYMS is running an interview with me.”

Jack Hutchison, general sales manager for KFWB, said: “Although we’re not required by the FCC to give equal time or access, we feel as part of a public service, we should. (Rogers’) counterparts did buy time. He brought in a financial statement that shows he didn’t have any funds.

“It’s just a policy of the station,” Hutchison said. “Especially being all news, we try to be very fair.” He said the spots will run through Monday.

Mitchell Song

Meanwhile, Laguna Beach writer Jerry Colburn, 44, said he has obtained permission from singer Joni Mitchell to use her 1969 song “Big Yellow Taxi” in the commercials and is trying to fold the lyrics into Rogers’ already taped message.

Mitchell’s lyrics include: “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”

“This song sums up so much about what everybody feels about developers and the blindness that goes along with greed,” Colburn said.

He said he became involved in the campaign at the last minute after observing the “media blitz” by Measure A foes.

“Then I realized the slow-growth movement did not have the funds to answer the sneak attack, so it was time for everybody to try and help out,” he said.