by Jason D. King, ABC

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed on the KoJo Nnamdi Show on WAMU 88.5. But no KoJo. However, his substitute interviewer, the Washington Post's Marc Fisher , was there. Sure, I wanted to meet KoJo. But Marc Fisher didn't disappoint. And in the "media matters" category of Behind the Wheel, we celebrate the good and not so good in journalism. Today we celebrate the good.

We discussed the controversial chooselife specialty license approved last July in Virginia and now available in 23 states. The impetus for this interview was the recent application for a "pro choice" specialty plate in Virgina. The "choose life" plate has been a huge revenue generator for the causes supported by the Choose Life organization. And now, an opposing organization, is hoping to capitalize on peoples' "passion for plates" and generate revenue for their cause too. Sounds fair enough, right?

The conundrum with these plates is that as "poetic" and "expressive" as they are, they put state government, and sometimes, state DMVs, in the position of deciding what is and isn't an appropriate message for the roads. Luckily for Virginia DMV this decision falls to the legislature.

But let's get back to the interviewer.

Fisher treated me, and the other guests; Melanie Stokes, manager, Communications, Virginia DMV and Stefan Lonce, author, LCNS2ROM:Vanity License PL8S and the GR8 Stories They Tell  to a very (excuse the pun) fair and balanced interview. He asked relevant questions, listened and treated us with respect.

It was an informative discussion and we even got to talk about the AAMVA/LCNS2ROM 2007 survey of vanity license plates.

Until next time, stay safe behind the wheel.

Jason D. King, ABC
Director, Communications & Public Relations
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)
jking@aamva.org