Shae Hopkins
Monday, October 13, 2008 4:45 pm


Statement from Shae Hopkins, KET deputy executive director,
regarding First Congressional District candidate forum on October 13, 2008

As it has in each Kentucky Congressional race this year, and in past years, KET invited both candidates in the First Congressional District to appear in a live forum. The Ryan campaign accepted KET's invitation, and the Whitfield campaign declined. KET’s longstanding practice is to proceed with the forum, rather than canceling it outright.

The Whitfield campaign requested to broadcast a recorded statement. Under the "equal opportunities" requirements of Section 315 of the Communications Act and the FCC's rules, KET is obliged to provide equal time by broadcasting the recorded statement. ###