Comments on: Networks Balk at Bush-Kerry Debate Rules http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/networks_balk_at_bush-kerry_debate_rules/ Online Journal of Politics and Foreign Affairs Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:53:54 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Tom http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/networks_balk_at_bush-kerry_debate_rules/comment-page-1/#comment-24381 Tom Wed, 29 Sep 2004 19:52:58 +0000 /?p=7585#comment-24381 I don't disagree that they should really *have* to offer the debates, but when they move away from serving the public interest and start becoming uber-restrictive platform sessions it's kind of defeating the purpose of seeing what one candidate has over another. Broadcasters are using public airwaves and should gladly offer such things....but sometimes it's a little too far. Are they going to have only green M&Ms in their dressing rooms, too? I don't disagree that they should really *have* to offer the debates, but when they move away from serving the public interest and start becoming uber-restrictive platform sessions it's kind of defeating the purpose of seeing what one candidate has over another. Broadcasters are using public airwaves and should gladly offer such things....but sometimes it's a little too far. Are they going to have only green M&Ms in their dressing rooms, too?

]]> By: James Joyner http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/networks_balk_at_bush-kerry_debate_rules/comment-page-1/#comment-24374 James Joyner Wed, 29 Sep 2004 18:51:09 +0000 /?p=7585#comment-24374 They have certain requirements to operate in the public interest as part of their licensing requirement and free use of the public's airwaves. One would think airing conventions, "debates," and the like would fit in. They have certain requirements to operate in the public interest as part of their licensing requirement and free use of the public's airwaves. One would think airing conventions, "debates," and the like would fit in.

]]> By: Tom http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/networks_balk_at_bush-kerry_debate_rules/comment-page-1/#comment-24371 Tom Wed, 29 Sep 2004 18:43:34 +0000 /?p=7585#comment-24371 Well, if there's no journalism involved, then the networks are free to broadcast it as entertainment, or not broadcast it at all. It's their airtime, and if they choose to use it in another way, it's their decision - why should they have to kowtow to not show Edwards making funny faces at Cheney's responses or vice versa, same with the Presidential candidates? Seems kind of unwieldy. And they need to stop calling this a "debate" anyway. They should just get up and give speeches. Well, if there's no journalism involved, then the networks are free to broadcast it as entertainment, or not broadcast it at all. It's their airtime, and if they choose to use it in another way, it's their decision - why should they have to kowtow to not show Edwards making funny faces at Cheney's responses or vice versa, same with the Presidential candidates? Seems kind of unwieldy.

And they need to stop calling this a "debate" anyway. They should just get up and give speeches.

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