Arizona COVID-19 Town Hall with Gov. Ducey hosted by Arizona PBS

TV and radio stations across Arizona simulcast a live hour-long interview with Gov. Doug Ducey to explore the impact of the novel coronavirus on the state.

The TV special, a partnership with the Arizona Broadcasters Association and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, took place Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 6 p.m.

It was broadcast from the Arizona PBS studios on ASU’s downtown Phoenix campus.

Arizona PBS Horizon host Ted Simons and former 3TV anchor Carey Pena hosted the discussion, which also included Health Services Director Cara Christ and Arizona National Guard Maj. Gen. Michael McGuire.

More than 80 television and radio stations, including Arizona PBS, broadcast the interview live.

“Basic information about COVID-19 is everywhere, but our goal is to cut through the clutter, eliminate any misinformation and let everyone in Arizona be part of an important conversation with our state leaders,” said Arizona Broadcasters Association President and CEO Chris Kline. “Arizona broadcasters are coming together in these unprecedented times, and we hope it’s a model for everyone in Arizona to do the same.”

There was no live audience at the town hall given the current prohibitions against gatherings; however, virtual questions from the public were submitted in advance through local television and radio stations across the state.

An extension of this interview is available online here. Further developments are described here.

Resources

Arizona Together: arizonatogether.org

Arizona Department of Education: azed.gov

Teachers and students can use this worksheet to aid discussions of this interview.