State GOP Files Complaint Calling KFI Practice Unfair : Radio: Republicans say the station hasn’t offered equal time even though state Democratic chairman Bill Press hosts a talk show.

The California Republican Party has filed a complaint with the state Fair Political Practices Commission because KFI-AM (640) has not offered the party equal time following talk-show host Bill Press’ election as state Democratic Party chairman in April.

Republican Chairman Tirso del Junco said Monday that the commission has initiated an investigation into his party’s complaint. Jeanette Turvill, a spokesperson for the commission, said the agency does not confirm or deny the receipt of a complaint nor does it discuss the status of any investigation.

“We feel that KFI is providing a forum to the Democratic Party via Bill Press and in effect is making an indirect contribution to the Democratic Party and its candidates,” Del Junco said. “He has showed no restraint in representing and advancing the Democratic Party platform.”

KFI and Press did not return calls seeking comment. Press hosts a talk show on the station Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m. He has said in the past that he provides balance on a station that has conservative Rush Limbaugh on for 15 hours each week.

“Rush Limbaugh is not part of the Republican Party (hierarchy),” Del Junco said. “(KFI’s) position is that they have a very balanced schedule. That’s not the issue. It’s not the philosophy; it’s that (Press) represents a political party.”

Del Junco said a complaint was not filed against KCOP-TV Channel 13, where Press delivers a commentary four nights a week on its 10 p.m. newscast, because of that station’s efforts to hire a Republican commentator. (Neither station is under any legal obligation to provide the Republicans with equal time because the federal equal time law does not apply in this case.)

But Del Junco was critical of KCOP for allowing Press to comment on Sunday’s mayoral debate on the station.

Maureen Reagan, daughter of former President Ronald Reagan and a loser in Republican primaries for congressional and Senate seats, joined Press to analyze the debate between mayoral candidates Richard Riordan and Michael Woo.

Press said on the air that he “tried to look at this debate as a debate coach and a former debater in college, which I am,” then added that he would “have to give the debate to Mike Woo hands down. Not a knockout, but a clean win. I think Mike Woo won on the issues. He was much more specific on the issues.”

KCOP did not identify Press as the Democratic Party Chairman--as it regularly does on his nightly commentaries--nor mention the party’s endorsement of Woo in the nonpartisan mayoral race or an injunction barring the state Democratic Party from a planned $200,000 get-out-the-vote and direct mail effort on Woo’s behalf.

News director Jeff Wald blamed a computer problem for the failure to visually give Press’ title.

“(Bill) is a professional and was told and given instructions not to endorse one candidate or the other (on the air), but certainly is entitled to his opinion,” Wald said. “He is a commentator. There is no pay involved as far as the (party) position goes, so why should his livelihood be affected by whatever he does on the side?”