KELOLAND News Clip Appeared in Political Ad

An advertisement for Mike Rounds featured news anchor Tom Hanson reporting on the B-21 bomber.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Elections

Isometric editorial illustration of a broadcast transmission tower with geometric signal rings, representing news media infrastructure. — KELOLAND News clarified that its broadcast footage of the B-21 bomber was used without authorization in a political ad for U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rounds. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Does the use of news footage in political ads erode your trust in local news reporting?

A political action committee used a KELOLAND News clip featuring anchor Tom Hanson in a campaign advertisement for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rounds. The station released a statement to clarify that it does not endorse the candidate.

Why it matters

The usage sparked viewer inquiries regarding the station's political neutrality, forcing KELOLAND News to explain the legal framework governing the use of broadcast footage in political campaigning.

Federal Communications Commission regulations require stations to air political advertisements without censorship, while Section 107 of U.S. copyright law permits the use of factual news material without broadcaster consent.

The players

Tom Hanson

He is a news anchor at KELOLAND News who appeared in the unauthorized campaign footage.

Mike Rounds

He is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate whose campaign was featured in the political advertisement.

Federal Communications Commission

This federal agency mandates that broadcast stations provide reasonable access for political advertisements.

The details

The advertisement utilized a report regarding the B-21 bomber at Ellsworth Air Force Base to bolster the candidate's campaign message. KELOLAND News emphasized that its inclusion in the spot was not an endorsement or a voluntary collaboration with the campaign.

September 30, 2026: KELOLAND News published an explanation regarding the usage of its footage.
July 2026: The U.S. Copyright Office defined the fair use criteria applied in this instance.

Political Context

Opponents often criticize the use of news footage in political ads as misleading, arguing that the appearance of news anchors creates a false sense of journalistic legitimacy. These groups contend that such tactics force media outlets into partisan perceptions they did not intend to support.

Residents in Sioux Falls should be aware that the inclusion of news footage in a campaign ad does not reflect an endorsement by the news organization. The legal requirement for stations to air these ads means voters must discern between independent reporting and paid political messaging.

The takeaway

Voters should exercise caution when interpreting the use of familiar media personalities in political advertisements. Distinguishing between objective news content and campaign material remains an essential skill in modern electoral cycles.