In Pennsylvania Primary, Television News is Late to the Game

The battle between 10-term US Rep. Tim Holden and his Democratic primary opponent, attorney Matt Cartwright, is dominating the local television landscape in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Pointed ads from the campaigns have mixed with outside PAC spots gunning for the Blue Dog incumbent. The heavy airing has provided lots of fodder for print and public media reporters covering area races. But the beneficiaries of the significant ad buys -- local television stations -- have offered scant news coverage to cut through the clutter.

The few reports that have made it on air have come just a few days before the April 24 primary. They generally follow candidate pressers or point viewers to what each side says is true, rather than scout out the full story themselves. They also offer up voters who say -- you guessed it -- they don’t like negative ads and political analysts who say the race is close.