If you are a frequent viewer of WJXT, you've no doubt noticed the political ads, including another anti-Alvin Brown ad this week. It's now the second of its kind in what's developing into a contentious mayoral race between the incumbent Brown and one challenger Lenny Curry. In both these ads, clips from News4JAX reporters Jennifer Waugh, Jim Piggott and Tarik Minor have been used. Today I'd like to address this subject directly with you.
WJXT and News4JAX do not endorse any political candidate of any kind. We never have. We never will. The newscast clips in these ads are being used without our permission. And while we've expressed our displeasure with the producers of the commercials, and have asked them to remove our news clips, they have declined.
To be fair, they have no obligation to do so. They are relying on a federal campaign law which requires all television stations to air campaign ads approved by a political candidate. The disclaimer at the end of these ads gives them this right. We must run them, unedited, and we always follow the rules.
As Jacksonville's most trusted news source, we take our jobs very seriously. That hasn't stopped. We're here for you. Just as we are required to run these ads, I'm obligated to be very clear. Do not misinterpret any political ad you see now or in the future as somehow implying our endorsement of a political candidate. As I said earlier, we do not endorse anyone. Never have. Never will.
If you have any questions on this subject, I'd be happy to answer them. Please email me directly at bellis@wjxt.com.