WFSB-TV Relents On Debate Embargo (Connecticut)

The Hartford Courant ^ | October 18, 2006 | By JON LENDER, Courant Staff Writer

[nutmeg]

Amid growing criticism, WFSB-TV, Channel 3, has agreed to let reporters from other news organizations into the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts to cover today's U.S. Senate race debate sponsored by the station.

As of Monday, the Hartford CBS affiliate was planning to ban all reporters other than its own from today's 3 p.m. taping of the one-hour debate - and then to maintain a 27-hour news blackout until it broadcast the pre-recorded event Thursday at 7 p.m.

But protests began to arise after the station's plans were outlined in The Courant Tuesday morning - and by mid-afternoon WFSB general manager Klarn DePalma said that outside reporters would be admitted for same-day coverage.

"At the end of the day, it's freedom of speech, so I wanted to make sure everyone had access to it," DePalma.

-snip-

[nutmeg]

Connecticut ping!

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[nutmeg]

All five Senate candidates - Lamont, Lieberman, Schlesinger, Ralph Ferrucci of the Green Party and Timothy Knibbs of the Concerned Citizens - will tape a debate today for broadcast Thursday at 7 p.m. on WFSB-TV, Channel 3.

[gunnedah]

See the MSM does believe in Censorship !

[Man50D]

"At the end of the day, it's freedom of speech, so I wanted to make sure everyone had access to it," DePalma.

Translation: "In the end we did not anticipate the negative publicity and possible lawsuits".

[Vicomte13]

Better Translation: We did not anticipate that Schlesinger was going to surge enough to take enough votes from Lieberman to let Lamont win. Therefore, we need to get these debates in front of as many people as possible, to give Republicans false hope, to divide the Lieberman vote and let our anti-war guy win a three way.