KBA'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Membership Newsletter

June 4, 2020

BREAKING NEWS:

2020 IN-PERSON RADIO SHOW CANCELLED

Click HERE for more details

BROADCASTERS ENDURE RIOTING TO KEEP LOUISVILLE CITIZENS INFORMED AND SAFE

Peaceful protesting turned into violent rioting over the weekend in Louisville as tensions continue to escalate in the wake of the unconscionable death of George Floyd and shooting of Breonna Taylor. We commend the commitment of the dedicated journalists who are providing continuous coverage of the tragic events that have transpired. Their dedication is admirable and a tremendous service to keep people safe, informed and hold local officials and citizens accountable.

Unfortunately, several KBA member stations have suffered property damage, reporters and crew experienced verbal and physical attacks, and a local reporter and cameraman were fired on by police with rubber bullets and pepper spray during the chaotic situation. Since that time, an apology has been extended by the city of Louisville.

The Kentucky Broadcasters Association denounces any violent action against journalists who are legally covering the protests taking place across the Commonwealth. “We commend the dedicated journalists who boldly place themselves in harms way, with an unrelenting commitment, to keep people safe and informed, hold local officials and citizens accountable, to find the answers and to seek justice,” said Chris Winkle, KBA President and CEO.

Freedom of the press is enshrined in the First Amendment and is foundational to the United States of America. “Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it,” said founding father Thomas Jefferson in 1786.

The KBA is equally troubled at reports from some localities that have sought to prevent journalists from covering the news by including them in local curfews. In an era when questionable information is rampant on social media, local broadcast journalists are providing Americans with trusted and fact-based news to help them understand what is happening in their communities and across the country.

NAB DENOUNCES ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS COVERING PROTESTS

Our nation continues to face extreme civil unrest in the wake of the unconscionable death of George Floyd. And while we continue to struggle on many fronts, dedicated journalists in local communities across the country are once again putting themselves in harm's way to cover the news and to shine a light on our nation's challenges.

In the wake of incidents of recent violence against journalists who are legally covering the protests taking place across the country, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith issued a statement denouncing attacks on news crews and highlighting their vital role as first informers during this crisis.

The KBA and the NAB are aggressively working to protect and defend broadcasters' First Amendment rights as journalists. Click HERE for a new resource page to help keep your teams safe.

This site includes guidance from the Radio Television Digital News Association, Poynter Institute, Society of Professional Journalists and others on how journalists can stay safe while reporting on these demonstrations. It also includes a tracker of incidents against journalists and NAB statements on the issue. We encourage you to share this resource with your newsrooms.

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR:

SAFETY, PREP AND KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS

Safety, prep and knowing your rights | RJI

Q&A session with Reuters photojournalist Leah Millis, Hostile environment awareness trainers Cath Mossom & Caroline Neil of RPS and National Press Photographers Association general counsel Mickey H.

Read more
www.rjionline.org

UPDATED HOMELAND SECURITY ACCESS LETTER FOR BROADCASTERS

The updated access letter for essential communications workers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is now available on the COVID-19 Resources page on KBA's website. At the direction of DHS, the document is made available to KBA members only. You will be prompted to login.

The new guidance again clarifies that the final decision whether to grant access rests with state and local authorities, but takes a broader approach than the previous letter. For example, the new guidance no longer includes the phrase: “The bearer of this letter is providing emergency communications sustainment and restoration support to critical communications infrastructure facilities in response to: COVID-19 Declaration of National Emergency.” However, a spokesperson for DHS specifically listed “public messaging” among the lifesaving capabilities that are necessary to ensure during the pandemic and in response to natural disasters. DHS also stated that this new guidance should help facilitate consistent requirements for movement and access across states’ borders, and help communications workers movements when challenged.

The new guidance references CISA Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers Advisory Guidance , issued on May 19, 2020. Please click here for that document (see page 16 for reference to workers who support radio and television service).

Many of you have asked if these updated letters will allow access during the ongoing protests. Although the new guidance does not specifically address that topic, broadcasters should certainly feel free to try to use this new letter during the protests, although as always, final approval for access will be made at the local level. This is only a letter of recommendation from CISA.

KBA RECEIVES CLOTH MASKS FROM FEMA

This week the KBA received a limited number of washable cloth masks from FEMA. We will be distributing an allotment of masks to each active member station. FEMA has asked that masks be specifically used at your broadcast facility.

STUDIO REOPENING SUGGESTIONS

While not specific to broadcasting, this list of reopening suggestions from the Recording Academy is certainly applicable to radio and TV.

Planning a Studio Reopening? Recording Academy Has Some...

Document lays out a bunch of good ideas that have application in radio too What considerations should you weigh before reopening your studios? Helpful guidance comes in the form of a document from the Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing. ...

Read more
www.radioworld.com

P1+ NEW HIRE CLASSES START JULY 6TH

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY

What do sellers want? The top answers we get include having more confidence when selling and to make more money (shocker!). However, what if we told you that the P1 Plus training program (which is free to KBA Members) will give your sellers a boost to make both of these things happen!?

This July let the trainers from P1 Learning guide your entry level sellers through a combination of online courses, weekly conference calls, testing, and homework assignments. All designed to make them great sellers.

Program includes:

1-on-1 Training with Industry Professionals
40+ Online Video Courses, Tests & Materials
Real World Prospecting / Closing the Sale Assignments
Mobile-Friendly Platform. Learn from The Office or At Home

Our next session starts Monday, July 6 ^th , 2020 and space is limited, so take advantage of this training for your team and register today by clicking HERE .

"Since I have taken the [P1 Plus] program I have gained so much confidence in my approach. I also have to say I made $10,000 more this year than last year and I believe it is because of what I learned in the class. Thank you so very much!!!"

Nicole J. - Marketing Consultant

LBS

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020 @ 12:00 PM EDT

The economic impact of COVID-19 has had devastating effects on your station and local businesses. As we begin to emerge from this crisis, clients will start demanding more from you as you provide solutions that address the new challenges that merchants and consumers are facing. Your pre-COVID selling process isn't going to be enough. You have an opportunity to restructure how you sell your station's traditional and digital products and now is the time to redefine your competitive advantage. Going forward, your clients will evaluate you based on your resilience and ability to provide sound business leadership. It is your responsibility to rise above other local marketing reps with creative thought and implementation. Changes to your daily routine and professional life will be required. Come see how to do it!

THIS ECAST SPONSORED BY PEM

Learn more about Wedding Planning with Pem by clicking here.

DATES TO REMEMBER

JULY 15, 2020

9:00 am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - to be held virtually

OCTOBER 11-13, 2020

KBA Annual Conference (Owensboro, KY)

*All times shown are Eastern

HOTLINES

ENGINEERING HOTLINE

KBA’s new Engineering Hotline is up and running. If you have a question for Scott, please call (866) 4KBAHELP.

KBA ENGINEERING HOTLINE

(866) 4KBAHELP

LEGAL HOTLINE

Get answers to your everyday regulatory questions – political, EEO, public file and Kentucky legal concerns. No charges for any questions that can be answered by phone without research.

Call Dawn: 202-256-9551

Call Josh: 502-568-0218