Fair on the air

The Gazette Editorial Board

-----

Captain Steve is on the ballot.

But he'll also remain on the radio in Iowa City, which raises a question of fairness.

Captain Steve is Steve Soboroff, who owns KCJJ-AM 1630 and hosts its morning show. Soboroff is running for a seat on the City Council, and he plans to keep his day job, including 30 hours on air weekly.

We think that's OK, so long as Soboroff keeps his word.

First, he's pledged to provide airtime to other council candidates who seek the opportunity to be heard. That would seem to address concerns related to the federal “equal time” rule discouraging broadcast stations from becoming a bullhorn for a single candidate. Because his show deals with news topics and interviews, it's not clear that equal time would even apply. News programs are exempt.

Regardless, Soboroff has promised that he won't use his on-air slot to openly campaign. “It's not going to be a vote-for-me thing,” he said of his on-air work in a Gazette story.

Soboroff ran unsuccessfully in 2003, perhaps undermining the notion that his job gives him a major advantage. And it seems unreasonable to demand that he give up his full-time job to seek a part-time council position. If Soboroff does as he promises, Captain Steve should be able to retain his radio rank.

n Comments: thegazette.com/

category/opinion/editorial or

editorial@sourcemedia.net