Incoming Wisconsin Broadcasters Board Chair Featured in Paul Ryan Super PAC Ad Attacking Wisconsin Democrat Randy Bryce

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) advertises itself as a trade group dedicated to doing “ … all things necessary and proper to encourage and promote customs and practices which will strengthen and maintain the broadcast industry to the end that it may best serve the public.” One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross questioned how incoming WBA Board Chair Nancy Douglass squares cutting an ad for Paul Ryan’s Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC attacking Democratic congressional candidate Randy Bryce with the mission of the industry association she’s slated to head.

“The hardworking reporters across Wisconsin doing phenomenal work deserve better,” said Ross. “Ms. Douglass is welcome to be as big of a right-wing, partisan Republican as she can be and she can cut as many attack ads for Paul Ryan’s super PAC as she wants. But she can’t also be a trusted representative of the trade group for the industry people rely on for unbiased information.”

Douglass is replacing Steve Wexler as head of the WBA board. Wexler is head of the E.W. Scripps radio division that was previously owned by Journal Communications. Among the portfolio of radio stations Wexler oversees is WTMJ in Milwaukee that has for years been a home for right wing talk radio programs that have ceaselessly attacked Democrats and promoted Republicans.

Ross also noted that earlier this year the Wisconsin Broadcasters proposed excluding a majority of the Democrats running for governor from a debate the group was sponsoring. After much criticism the group cancelled the debate instead of trying to accommodate the slate of candidates.

Paul Ryan’ super PAC ad featuring Ms. Douglass attacking Democrat Randy Bryce:

Nancy Douglass biography page on Wisconsin Broadcasters website: