Why Does C-SPAN Take Audience Calls?
The call-in program - and our philosophy of focusing on the
caller -- has been a fixture of the C-SPAN networks since the network's
founding; it's so fundamental to us, it's incorporated into our company mission
statement. Through the call-in program, C-SPAN encourages viewer interactivity
by enabling viewers and listeners to talk directly to elected officials,
policymakers, and journalists covering the national policy debate. C-SPAN
frequently incorporates viewer call-ins into its programming schedule, both in
regularly scheduled call-ins and open-phones programs that allow people to
react to breaking news events.
When was C-SPAN's first viewer call?
On October 7, 1980, just 18 months into its history, C-SPAN
inaugurated television's first-ever, regularly scheduled national viewer
call-in program from the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., following a
speech by then- FCC Chair Charles Ferris. C-SPAN's first caller was from
Yankton, South Dakota. See the video here: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/ID/119327&start=8889&end=9250
Now, where can viewer voices be heard
regularly?
C-SPAN frequently incorporates viewer calls into its live
programming offerings. More regularly, calls are a major focus of the network's
morning interview program "Washington Journal" (7 to 10am ET). The
program is always live (except when a segment is replayed later) every day, 365
days a year. On January 4, 1995, "Washington Journal" replaced earlier
call-in incarnations as C-SPAN's flagship viewer call-in program. See the video
of that first Journal program here: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/62484-1
How is the program staffed and run - and who
decides the guests?
"Washington Journal," guided by an Executive
Producer, has a professional staff of producers, guest bookers, and production
assistants who work as a team to decide what topics are covered on each day's
program and which guests should be booked to discuss those topics. Each program
strives to educate the viewing public about national issues and to learn from
them.
What is there to know about "Washington
Journal" hosts?
The role of the C-SPAN call-in host is to facilitate the dialogue
between callers and our guests. Throughout its history, C-SPAN has drawn
call-in hosts from its ranks; they host the program in addition to other roles
at the network. The idea behind this practice is to avoid creating
"personalities" so that the focus of the program remains on the
guests and the callers.
How many calls does "Washington
Journal" air?
The program strives to take about 60 callers per three-hour
program-another way that callers are emphasized over comments and questions
from the C-SPAN host. That translates into more than 400 calls per week - which
works out roughly to 20,000 calls per year.
What's the concept behind "open
phones" segments?
During open phone segments, viewers can discuss a topic or
news item of their choosing, giving them an opportunity to drive the
discussion. This open forum is a regular part of the "Washington
Journal," and also can be heard on other programming on all three C-SPAN
television networks and C-SPAN Radio.
How does C-SPAN deal with calls that are inaccurate
or distasteful?
While the vast majority of calls are not of this nature, the
live, town-hall format of our call-ins can occasionally give rise to calls that
contain factual inaccuracies or distasteful language. Fact-checking for live
viewer calls is impractical, something of the nature of the beast. Regarding
distasteful language: When a caller makes ad hominem attacks or uses indecent
language or obviously racist language, program hosts are certainly permitted to
step in. Given that this involves quick judgment during a live television
production, it's an imperfect process. The network does not endorse any
comments made by our callers, or, for that matter, our guests.
Are the calls aired live?
Yes. This is another philosophical aspect of our "town
hall format." We've always taken the calls as they come in so that the
agenda is set by the callers, not by our producers in Washington. We don't
screen - except if callers violate the 30-day rule, explained next - and we
have different lines for different positions on issues. Typically these lines
are for Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to ensure ideological
diversity among callers, but they may be changed up for specific issues.
Why the "30-day rule" for callers?
To encourage an "open dialogue' we don't want the
program to be dominated by a small cadre of regular callers. The program hosts
remind viewers to allow one month between calls to allow as many voices to be
heard as possible. This is another "not perfect" aspect of the
program--there are callers who violate this rule, as is sometimes pointed out
by other regular listeners.
Are telephone calls the only way viewer's
voices are heard?
No. In addition to calls, hosts will take viewers questions
and comments via e-mail (journal@c-span.org)
and now Twitter (@cspanwj).
Also, we frequently continue "Washington Journal" conversations on
C-SPAN's Facebook page, and we welcome audience comments and a robust
discussion there as well (http://www.facebook.com/CSPAN).
How many people watch "Washington
Journal"?
C-SPAN's public affairs programming is available in 97
million households. C-SPAN, as a non-commercial network, doesn't measure
viewership; we conduct occasional demographic surveys to measure reach and
impact. The most recent was a March 2009 survey, which estimated 39 million
Americans watch C-SPAN regularly -- at least once or twice a week. We don't
have viewing numbers for the "Washington Journal" but we know from
several such surveys that the percentage of viewers who attempt to call in is
approximately five percent.