Washington Journal
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Washington Journal is a political call-in and interview television program running daily on C-SPAN. It usually runs live 7-10 AM Eastern US time, with exceptions when special events preempt all or part of the program. The show is usually broadcast from a studio in Washington, DC, overlooking the Capitol Building.
The program is moderated by one of a rotating set of hosts. All are also C-SPAN employees in other capacities. In particular, C-SPAN founder and CEO Brian Lamb typically hosts on Fridays.
During the show, the host often reads notable articles and editorials from current newspapers and periodicals, and interviews guests invited to discuss a particular issue. The host generally does not ask challenging questions, instead leaving them to callers.
The show is noted for the participation of its viewers. Usually a period of time is set aside at the start of the show for "open-phones" during which callers are allowed to discuss on-air an issue of their choosing. During the rest of the program, callers are invited to express their opinion on particular issues and to question guests.
Callers were originally not screened by ideology, but the call-in format was changed during the Clinton impeachment hearings during which an overwhelming majority of callers favored impeachment to an extent that was not reflected in public opinion polls. Washington Journal producers now set up separate phone lines for each side of the issue being discussed. Usually this means one line for those supporting the current administration and one for those supporting the opposition party. Callers are taken from the separate lines on an assiduously even basis.
The Washington Journal theme music is Johann Melchior Molter's Trumpet Concerto No. 2.
Washington Journal hosts include, but are not limited to:
- Brian Lamb, C-SPAN Chairman and CEO
- Peter Slen, Washington Journal Executive Producer
- Connie Doebele
- Pedro Echevarria
- Robb Harleston
- Paul Orgel
- Steve Scully
- Susan Swain
External link
- C-SPAN official web site (http://www.c-span.org)