Media Networks sponsoring and conducting faux debates is not a good thing

[burythehatchet]

Its another one of those things that if you thought about it for a minute you would say "jeez, thats insane".

Assuming you agree that corporate media is one of the biggest problems that stands in the way of good governance and electoral participation, then how can the candidates possibly agree to put themselves in a position where the same whores who screw democracy everyday now get to question the candidates? It makes no sense whatsoever to me.

Wolf: Yes or no answer, will you end global warming? Yes or no. Everyone answer yes or no, except you Dennis.

[leftchick]

1. well the corporations are donating to "the top tier"

especially clinton so what do you expect? It is all Kabuki theater.

[papau]

2. reporters should not question anyone - its UnAmerican? Corporate control does mean

what gets out on the news shows and in the papers is highly edited against Dems - but the reporters other than ass kissers like Tim Russert and the staff of Fox do try to act fairly.

[Skinner]

3. I am no fan of the corporate media. But like it or not they are the gatekeepers.

They provide access to large numbers of people. The candidates would be foolish to turn down an invitation, which is why every candidate that was invited chose to appear last night.

[Liberal In Texas]

4. I directed live debates for broadcast television, back in the day,

(Texas Gov. races in the days of Ann Richardson) and then, there was almost a meticulous attention to the amount of time each candidate was given. The moderators and producers bent over backwards to make sure that the time was as equal as possible.

Things have sure changed.

[KoKo]

6. and in the National Debates candidates were given equal time.

There weren't so many candidates as we have had since 2004...but there was an 'equal time' rule and no applause allowed. The League of Women Voters used to run the debates, I believe..

Having more Candidates and more debates is probably a good thing, but the M$M shouldn't be the only ones asking the questions...and there should be equal time allowed to all the candidates and the post discussion should give equal time to all the candidates and include more than a few M$M pudits declaring a winner.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. Mike Gravel was smart to stand up to the corporate media and boycott last night's debate