Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg was interviewed by nationally syndicated country radio host Blair Garner last week, but the segment will not air on the station.
Garner’s employer, Cumulus Media, opted to squash the interview as a result of the Federal Communications Commission’s Equal Time Rule, which specifies that any network that gives air time to a political candidate must give the same amount to any opposing candidate who requests it.
“Cumulus Nashville’s programming managers made the decision not to air Blair Garner’s pre-recorded interview with Mayor Pete Buttigieg because of the large number of political candidates currently in this race,” the company said, according to CNN. “The decision was made by local programming management based solely on concerns related to the application of the FCC’s Equal Time Rule. The effects of the FCC’s Equal Time Rule are widely understood and considered whenever these types of issues arise.”
Garner posted on Facebook that the South Bend, Indiana mayor’s team had reached out to him requesting the interview.
“Since Country music tends to lean in a conservative direction, I was surprised. But more than surprised, I was EXTREMELY flattered. One of the few truly viable candidates in the race raised his hand and asked for a place at the table. I was willing to give him that seat,” it read in part. “I would have also given a seat to any other viable candidate, from both sides. The only condition? They must also value and appreciate our listeners, and never treat them as pawns.”
Garner was granted permission to post the interview on his personal SoundCloud account, so it is still available despite it not airing on his radio show.
