CNN: Networks balk at Bush-Kerry debate agreement

[kysrsoze]

(CNN) -- Although the Bush and Kerry camps have meticulously crafted an agreement on the rules for this year's presidential debates, the television networks broadcasting them refuse to go along with the plans. Specifically, the networks object to provisions in the agreement that place limits on their cameras, including prohibitions on shots of one candidate while the other is answering questions.

"Because of journalistic standards, we're not going to follow outside restrictions," said Paul Schur, a spokesman for Fox News, which is manning the pool camera for the first debate Thursday in Miami, Florida.

(snip)

ABC News and CBS News are also objecting to the limits, with a CBS spokeswoman insisting that "we will utilize any shots the pool makes available."

Also, at least two of the television journalists chosen to moderate the debates -- ABC's Charles Gibson and CBS's Bob Schieffer -- have not signed the agreement on ground rules hammered out between the two campaigns, according to their networks. The other two moderators are Gwen Ifill and Jim Lehrer, both of PBS, which has not yet commented.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/09/28/debates.television/index.html

Come on, network stooges. Good start, but you can do better than that! Oh yeah, fuck you, Gwen and Jim!

[cybildisobedience]

1. good start?

All the talk will be about how the "candidateS" are being so picky - not Bush, which we know to be the case.
He's the only control freak in this equation, but of course the "journalists" who are feigning indignation don't have the guts to call him on it. They hide behind the facade that both Kerry and Bush are micro-managing the debates, when we know darn right well that Bush is the one who can't handle a fair fight.

[Moderator]

2. Duplicate

but please add this link to the previous topic.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=871526