Editorial: Expect political advertising but never a side on our airwaves in 2022

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - It’s 2022 and another political year is upon us.

This year, like 2020, will again be a very active one for our airways.

Messages were tossed back and forth from differing politicians and political parties.

Though this can be a great exercise in the American right for Freedom of Speech, some messages tend to lean more negative, tearing down their opponent rather than focusing on building up themselves.

A majority of these ads you will see on WALB.

Please know that we here at WALB will take no side. We do not endorse, fund or give preference to any party or candidate.

Recently, you began to see an ad that grabbed a news story from our Today In Georgia and it does have our morning anchors in the ad.

WALB was neither asked for nor did we give them permission to utilize that clip. There is pretty much no defense that can prevent a candidate from doing such.

The FCC, which governs broadcast stations like ours, has a law that a candidate spot can’t be censored or turned away and that we are required by federal law to air them.

WALB is expected to be unbiased and impartial as a broadcast TV station, and that we will remain — you the viewers deserve it. It’s not up to us to impose our personal opinions or beliefs on you.

In 2022, you will be allowed to derive your own decision.

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