Both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions are scheduled for later this month. For more than 100 years, the conventions have been filled with political stump speeches with the stated purpose of selecting a party’s respective presidential nominee.
MPB Think Radio and MPB Television will broadcast live both national political conventions in August.
- August 17-20 at 7 p.m. — Democratic National Convention
- August 24-27 at 7 p.m. — Republican National Convention
Without a doubt, the GOP and the Democrats will choose the candidate whom they believe best represents their party’s chances of winning the White House. However, even as I write this, COVID-19 has raised questions as to whether the conventions will take place, and if they do, how might they look. It is also without doubt that there will be conventions in some form, even if the pandemic forces them to be held virtually.
One of the public broadcasting principles that rises in importance to me is that of providing content to better educate our citizens. We do our best to keep Mississippi residents informed through our frequent news updates, our daily radio newscast, Mississippi Edition, and through our public affairs show @ISSUE, which is currently on hiatus to allow us to fully cover the impact of COVID-19.
This month, when the national conventions are held, we turn our broadcasts over to the national teams at PBS and NPR. In whatever form the conventions take this month, we will interrupt regular programming to bring the important messages to you. America is a great country, filled with the great opportunities and freedoms. One of the best attributes about America is that it is a participatory country. It offers each of its citizens the chance to individually decide who best represents their interests and who they believe is best suited to move this great country forward.
I am adamant when I tell people that it matters not who they support, but it does matter if they use apathy to excuse their involvement. I’m proud that public media has civic engagement as one of its principles. And I invite you to tune in to coverage provided by the teams at PBS and NPR in whatever platform the conventions are held. We are a country of people who hold strong opinions, particularly where politics are concerned. I think that’s OK as long as positions are expressed with respect. That’s how I plan to watch and listen to the conventions. I may not agree with the candidates, but I am mighty proud to live in a country where I have the freedom to take in information and make my own choices.