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September 29, 2004
TV Networks to ignore debate agreement
A small skirmish has emerged between the US television networks and the two Presidential Campaigns. Under the agreement reached between the Bush and Kerry campaigns, the cameras at the debate will not be allowed to show the candidate who does not have the floor.
Fox News, which will be producing the pool feed for tomorrow's debate, has said it will ignore that clause of the agreement because of journalistic standards. Also, ABC's Charles Gibson and CBS's Bob Schieffer, who have been chosen to moderate the debates, have refused to sign the agreement on the ground rules for the debates. They could be replaced if they do not sign on.
I understand what the campaigns are doing. Debates are immensely stressful and it would be nice for the candidates to know that when their opposite number is speaking they can relax a little or go to their "happy place" (even if it is just for a moment) without people seeing them with a funny look on their face. On the other hand, journalists have a responsibility to deliver the news unencumbered by restrictions that may cause them to miss a critical moment or event.
If the campaigns truly wanted to control the camera angles they should have hired a television production company to do it, not count on the media to do it for them. Don't count on any changes to either the moderators, the format, or the media's coverage of the debates - the campaigns know they've lost this battle.
Posted by maxthecat on September 29, 2004 at 09:51 AM
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Filed in: Politics / United States
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