Does It Cross The Line For A Television Station To Conduct And Release A Poll So Close To A Local Election?

The rumor of the day is that WISH-TV will release the result of its mayoral poll tonight on its 11 pm. broadcast.

As local elections draw near, the media generally pulls back from hard-hitting stories in order to not be accused of influencing the election.  Sometimes the media goes overboard, refusing to go after legitimate stories because it is within a week or two of the election.

Given the local media philosophy, one has to wonder about the judgment of WISH-TV to conduct and release a poll just over five days before an election.  The reporting of election polls do influence the results of elections by influencing turnout.  For example, if Ballard appears to have a comfortable, double-digit lead in the poll, it could cause Republicans to stay home, affecting the outcome of races in close districts where Republican incumbents are desperate for GOP turnout.

By releasing the poll so close to the election, WISH-TV will have turned itself from a reporter of the news to a newsmaker that influences the outcome of an election. Is that proper for a local television station?  I think not.