Bacon Debates

# Green Party Candidate David Bacon Denied Entry to Gubernatorial Debates by Mark Sardella
#### See Sample Letters of Request for Inclusion CONTACT NUMBERS TO REQUEST DAVID BACON's INCLUSION IN THE DEBATES: Please see details to the right October 18th debate Key Contacts: (call ASAP!) Michael Bush VP Operations, MediaNews Group (505)541-5401 or mbush@medianewsgroup.com Ron Salak General Manager, KRWG-TV (505)646-2222 or rsalak@nmsu.edu October 20th Debate Key Contact:Dan Salamone, KRQE News Director (505) 243-2285 or dan.salamone@krqe.com November 3rd Debate Key Contact:Pahl Shipley KOAT News Director (505) 884-7777 or http://www.thenewmexicochannel.com/feedback/ |
Inclusion in televised debates can have an enormous effect on election outcomes, but Green Party gubernatorial candidate David Bacon is presently included in just one of five scheduled televised debates. Below is a quick summary of the debate lineup and status. Please let these folks know that you want to see all three candidates debate! Particularly vulnerable at this point are the three public TV stations (Oct. 18th debate), which are letting a private corporation (MediaNews Group) dictate the terms of a public broadcast. Emails and phone calls should go to all three public stations, but it may be best to focus on KRWG since they are hosting the event. Some talking points for your calls and emails: There are only three candidates for governor this year, so there will be ample time to hear from each in a 3-way debate. Excluding one of the candidates runs counter to the public interest. Broadcast licenses require that the public interest is served and that conflicting viewpoints are presented. Other media outlets (The Santa Fe New Mexican, etc.) are presenting all three views, and Mr. Bacon's views are clearly in the public interest. Additional talking points for Public Television: Contributions to the station are made based on the belief that programming is absent of commercial control and influence, but now I see this is NOT the case! The success of public TV depends on a public perception that programs are non-biased. Please put a copy of my comments in your Public File (VERY IMPORTANT) so that they are reviewed by the FCC during your annual license renewal. MORE DETAILS ON THE DEBATES - PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTACTING! October 18th: MediaNews Group Debate Airs on our three public TV stations: KRWG, KENW, and KNME David’s inclusion depends on polling above 5% The terms of this PUBLIC broadcast are being dictated by a PRIVATE firm! Key Contacts: (please call these two guys ASAP!) Michael Bush, Vice President of Operations, MediaNews Group (505)541-5401 or mbush@medianewsgroup.com Ron Salak, General Manager, KRWG-TV (505)646-2222 or rsalak@nmsu.edu October 20th: Albuquerque Tribune Debate Airs on KRQE-TV13 David’s inclusion depends on polling above 15% Key Contact:Dan Salamone, KRQE News Director (505) 243-2285 or dan.salamone@krqe.com October 30th: Santa Fe New Mexican Debate Airs on KKOB-TV4 David has been invited! Key Contact: Chris Berg, KOB News Director ( 505)243-4411 Or CBerg@kobtv.com (send a thank you!) November 3rd: Albuquerque Journal Debate Airs on KOAT-TV7 David’s inclusion has not been decided Key Contact:Pahl Shipley, KOAT News Director (505) 884-7777 or http://www.thenewmexicochannel.com/feedback/