Why do we allow the major media to conduct presidential debates?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ernesto
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Ernesto

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They poll less favorable than even congress and yet we let them ask the questions or pick the people to ask the questions in debates. They also pick which candidates should appear in the debates.
 
When other public funded or grassroots media outlets or schools invite candidates to debates, they're often ignored.
 
Contrary to other answers, we don't censor the media here - nor should we. But you can vote with your feet. Many fine organizations offer debate opportunities. The candidates have some sway, because unless they participate, there is no debate. But in the end, it is the media who provides the coverage - and candidates need coverage. The media, however, needs viewers. Watch the coverage of debates you support. Be a vocal viewer. Ignore the others. That's the best you can do.
 
The major media is not the only one that conducts debates; league of women voters do, some of the partisan debates during the primaries were actually hosted by the state parties engaged, its just the media that presents them and for that we have little choice.
 
I think candidates are inclined to participate in debates hosted by major broadcasters not so much because they want the exposure, but because they would be conspicuous by their absence.

When you have eight people vying for a party's nomination and they have one minute to answer a question and 30 seconds for a rebuttal, that's not a debate. It's a sound bite. And when candidates who are being ignored have to complain to the moderators that "Hey, I'm here too!", the nature of the farce is obvious.
 
a few years back they had used PBS, I thought that kept the commercialism out of it and let the questions be done by the organizers, and get rid of the studio audience
 
Don't know--they don't seem to have much control of the debates, no order and the hard questions are not asked.

During the debate between Obama and Hillary it was difficult to maintain order too much time spent on one topic--health care.......
 
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