WUSA9 Tackles Race Relations "Race: An Honest Conversation" with Bruce Johnson

    WASHINGTON, DC, July 21, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- TEGNA's WUSA9 has seized the high ground in covering race relations during special television and digital programming in the Washington D.C. market. Friday's "Race: An Honest Conversation" aired in the midst of a national re-evaluation of race issues and provided viewers many important perspectives concerning the state of this national debate. Focused largely on the disputes between the Black Lives Matter organization and local police departments the program invited leaders from both groups to discuss their issues face to face in a lively but polite exchange. According to WUSA9's Executive Director of News Bill Lord, "We produced this "Instant Special" Friday night because of the extreme urgency produced by national and local events and it is obvious to us that this city is very much engaged with this important issue."

When President Obama took office in 2009 some 66% of Americans thought race relations were good. That number has now declined to 26% as more and more Americans of all ethnicities are buffeted by hate crimes and extreme rhetoric.

WUSA9's Bruce Johnson tackles the difficult subject with honesty, compassion and tough questioning:

Under the very strong leadership of award winning veteran news person Bruce Johnson, WUSA9 is fully committed to this hugely important issue. Following WUSA9's initial news special on race late last year Johnson again hosted WUSA9's special programming on Friday evening. By taking comments online, polling residents in advance and talking with both law enforcement and political leaders on set Johnson guided the "instant special" into a meaningful conversation.

The audience in D.C. has shown that this is an important topic. More adults aged 25 to 54 watched "Race: An Honest Conversation" on WUSA9 than nearly all regularly scheduled local news in the time period.

WUSA9's Facebook Livestream reached a quarter of a million people Friday night:

WUSA9 also streamed the live special on it's website and on Facebook. The Facebook Livestream along reached over 250,000 people. WUSA9's Lord adds, "We plan another longer Race Special again in September. This is a subject that must be discussed and we remain committed to doing so."

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