Presidential debates on TV in peril

In a New York Times interview, CBS producer Don Hewitt, who directed and produced the John Kennedy-Richard Nixon debate in 1960, explained that debates entail "a big dose of show biz" and "trying to keep an audience." "When you're in television," Hewitt said, "that's your job."

Indeed, a lot of Democrats are angry at ABC for doing what it does best, which is to put on a TV show. That's like inviting yourself into a bear's cave and being surprised ... Full Story »

Posted by Roland F. Hirsch

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Review

Dwight Rousu
2.8
by Dwight Rousu - Oct. 1, 2008

The author too glibly accepts the idea that presidential debates are for entertainment. The reason for their existence is to inform voters on the platforms and persona of the candidates so our democracy is an informed democracy. Presidential debates should continue on television, but their form and control must be revised to serve the objective. The cheap sensationalism of gotcha attack questions may have to be removed by insisting upon a worthy moderator, such as perhaps the League of Women Voters.

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Dwight's Rating

Overall
2.8

Average
from 13 answers
Quality
2.6
Facts
2.0
Fairness
3.0
Information
3.0
Sourcing
3.0
Style
3.0
Accuracy
3.0
Balance
4.0
Context
2.0
Popularity
3.5
Recommendation
3.0
Credibility
4.0
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