Category Archives: News

Candidates debate questions from broadcast journalists

The WBA Foundation hosted two political debates in the last week to give voters more information about candidates on the ballot in two important statewide races. In Wausau, Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Leah Vukmir took questions from Holly Chilsen, WSAW-TV; Ben Meyer, WJFW-TV; Chris Conley, WSAU, Melissa Langbehn, WAOW-TV, and... - MORE -

FOIC Survey: Dems back more openness, GOP mostly mum

Dee Hall
Editor’s Note: This is a column from the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council. In advance of the Nov. 6 elections, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council surveyed candidates for state Assembly and Senate to gauge support for initiatives to require more openness by public officials, including the Legislature. We sent... - MORE -

Preparations underway for WBA gubernatorial debate

The panelists for the WBA Foundation’s gubernatorial debate on Friday night are meeting Thursday to finish preparing questions for the candidates, Gov. Scott Walker and State Superintendent Tony Evers. The debate will be held at WMTV-TV in Madison. WBA Hall of Famer Jill Geisler is moderating the debate and the... - MORE -

Panel talks about dangers facing journalists

A panel discussion on Wednesday talked about the safety of broadcasters and journalists in light of new threats. The panel discussion titled “Personal Safety in Today’s Broadcasting Environment” was led by WLUK-TV News Director and WBA Board member Juli Buehler. The panel included RTDNA Executive Director Dan Shelley, Quincy Media... - MORE -

Journalists working hard on the U.S. Senate debate

The moderator and five panelists taking part in the WBA Foundation’s U.S. Senate debate met on Friday to prepare for Saturday’s debate in Wausau. Moderator Jill Geisler spent the afternoon with local journalists Holly Chilsen, Chris Conley, Melissa Langbehn, Ben Meyer, and Jeff Thelen talking about topics and questions for... - MORE -

Eau Claire film series puts focus on journalism

Jan Larson,, chair of the Journalism Department at UW-Eau Claire and head of the “Beyond the Headlines” local steering committee
An effort to draw attention to the work of journalism in local communities is bringing people together to watch films in the Eau Claire area. Monday’s showing of “Spotlight” is part of Wisconsin Humanities Council project called “Beyond The Headlines.” The WBA Foundation is sponsoring the film showings. “Spotlight” is... - MORE -

Milbourn retires after 50 years in TV news

Tom Milbourn
An anchor at a Green Bay TV station is retiring after 50 years in TV news. Tom Milbourn started as a rookie radio announced at age 15. He’s been in Wisconsin for more than 40 years, and in the Green Bay area for more than 30 years. He served as... - MORE -

NAB President defends media freedoms

NAB President and CEO Sen. Gordon Smith
NAB President and CEO Sen. Gordon Smith wrote a guest blog today for Broadcasting and Cable defending press freedoms established by the Founding Fathers. “Raucous voices on social media and commentary-based cable programming may pervade and dominate our daily discourse,” Smith writes. “But viewers and listeners should try, always, to... - MORE -