The National Association of Broadcasters has launched its midterm election online toolkit, complete with help in identifying online misinformation and disinformation, which has plagued recent elections.

Also included is advice for hosting debates; resources for voter registration and finding the correct polling place; turning out the youth vote; and turnkey voter participation public-service announcements (PSAs) in English and Spanish (see image).

“Local broadcasters are a trusted and reliable source of news and information, which takes on heightened importance in combating disinformation as Americans exercise their right to vote,” NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said of the toolkit. “The toolkit will equip radio and television stations in helping voters make informed decisions at the polls — an essential component in ensuring the vitality of our democracy.”

Stations that want to help expand the toolkit by sharing examples of their own debates, news coverage of voter education efforts should e-mail advocacy@nab.org. They can also reach out to director of public affairs Melissa Eastlake at meastlake@nab.org. ■

AMC Networks is marking Black History Month with a new series of public service announcements featuring members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Among the main objectives of the 56-member caucus are criminal justice reform, combatting voter suppression and expanding access to broadband.

It is the ninth such PSA campaign in partnership with the Caucus and Color of Change.

The spots began running February 1 and will air throughout the month across AMC, BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and ad-supported VOD, as well as stream on AMC's ALLBLK African-American targeted streaming service.

The latest campaign, tagged “A Closer Look at the Black Experience,” features eight caucus members including chairwoman Rep. Joyce Beatty (pictured above) and majority whip Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), whose daughter, Mignon, is former acting FCC chairwoman and whose focus has been on expanding access to broadband for all. The PSAs — four thematic spots — focus on the caucus‘ mission of empowerment, voting rights, positive portrayals of Blacks in media and health and wellness.

The PSA campaign is in addition to special Black History Month programs and digital content. ■

NCTA-The Internet & Television Association said its members have committed to provide over $100 million worth of public service ads through June to help educate the public about the COVID-19 pandemic and how to curtail the virus' spread.

That figure is based on the total value of time donated and use of PSA material on digital and social media properties.

That includes time donated to the Ad Council and Red Cross initiatives.

“TV programming companies and distributors are playing a critical role in reaching consumers with information, education, and insight during the pandemic,” said NCTA president Michael Powell. “As Americans connect via our broadband networks, and stay entertained and educated through cable TV programming, our companies are on the front lines of helping consumers deal with this extraordinary time in our history. We hope that our member companies can help Americans in this time of need while our nation moves towards a return to prosperity.”

That goes far beyond donated ad slots. ISPs are opening WiFi hotspots, offering free service to low-income residents, wiring hospital ships for broadband, suspending data overage charges and more.

The White House has officially unveiled a COVID-19 messaging campaign in conjunction with the Ad Council and major media outlets, including digital platforms. 

All the PSA airtime will be donated by the media and coordinated through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Related: White House, Ad Council Working on Coronavirus PSAs

The campaign will include PSAs about social distancing, personal hygiene and mental health. 

Among the Administration members appearing in national broadcast PSAs will be First Lady Melania Trump, Surgeon General Jerome Adams, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Dr. Deborah Birx. 

According to the White House: 

Related: Slammed: The Latest on COVID-19 Disruption in TV Industry

NBCU will create videos and graphics in both English and Spanish to inform high-risk populations about what they can to do stem the spread.  

Viacom/CBS will deliver PSAs on "public health imperatives." Along with the Ad Council, ViacomCBS’ Entertainment & Youth Brands led by MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, CMT, and VH1 have launched the #AloneTogether social campaign "that educates audiences on the importance of social distancing and drives unity through entertainment."  

That campaign will be backed by Nickelodeon, BET, CBS and CBS All-Access, Awesomeness, Pluto TV, and Showtime.  

CBS is launching a "We're in This Together" campaign featuring "essential public health messages," and Nickelodeon is developing PSAs targeted to kids on things like hand washing and the availability of educational library content for kids home from school. 

iHeartMedia will carry social distancing and high-risk population messaging on its network of radio stations.  

ABC/Disney will promote "priority messaging" for parents and families. 

Related: NAB Launches Coronavirus PSA Campaign 

TV stations across the country are already airing a PSA campaign launched last week by the National Association of Broadcasters, which has already signaled it would also support this latest campaign.  

To celebrate Black History Month, We tv is running a series of public service announcements (PSAs) featuring 10 African American members of Congress talking about who has inspired them most.

The PSAs will air on the network and be available on a microsite at WEtv.com. The site also features a photo gallery and alist of Black History Month events around the country.

The PSAs feature Senator Tim Scott and Representatives Alma Adams, Joyce Beatty, G.K. Butterfield, Yvette Clarke, Marcia Fudge, Robin Kelly, and Cedric Richmond. Also weighing in are Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. John Lewis.

Paramount Pictures will be promoting its upcoming film Zoolander 2 across NBCUniversal platforms with a campaign that spoofs NBC’s “The More You Know” PSA campaign.

Created by NBCU’s in-house Content Innovation Agency, the parody ads feature Ben Stiller, who plays male model Derek Zoolander in PSAs pushing the message “The Outside Matters,” emphasizing the importance of appearance.

The spots — tailored to fit each NBCU network’s audience — will appear on NBC, USA, Bravo, E! and Telemundo, as well as on those networks’ digital and social platforms.

“The combination of the renowned ‘The More You Know’ campaign and Zoolander’s cultural legacy were a natural fit and will make you think about this venerable campaign in wholly new ways,” said Steve Siskind, president of domestic marketing at Paramount Pictures.

Read more, and watch the #TheOutsideMatters video, at broadcastingcable.com.

Cartoon Network is aiming high with its annual anti-bullying campaign, looking to help produce 1 million user-generated videos addressing the concern.

Now in its fifth iteration, this year’s "Stop Bullying: Speak Up" campaign will run from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3, as it seeks to empower everyone to talk more and support kids in need of encouragement against this lingering problem. The award-winning, multiplatform campaign was created to raise awareness, encouraging young people to voice their concerns about bullying.

The video call-to-action will be the first of what the network hopes to be 1 million user-generated videos, with people stating, “I Speak Up” to the world.  If someone witnesses bullying, they are encouraged to create a video, and share it either through www.StopBullyingSpeakUp.com, or any other social media platforms, using #ISpeakUp as the hashtag.

The campaign will include news shorts and celebrity messages, as well as PSAs during National Bullying Prevention Month in October. In addition to Cartoon Network, other Turner Broadcasting networks -- TBS, TNT, CNN, HLN, NBA TV and TruTV -- all plan to air special bumps showcasing recorded messages from Turner celebrities encouraging even more viewer participation.

An official “I Speak Up” tally will appear on-screen each day, noting how many people have officially “spoken up” by submitting videos and/or pledges during within the campaign.

Anyone interested in sharing their own “I Speak Up” video, can find instructions at www.StopBullyingSpeakUp.com, along with recommendations for optimum video results.