Presidential Debate to hit mute button
Organisers step up the plan for a more orderly debate on Friday.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under News
The third and final Presidential Debate between US President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will see organisers hit the mute button at the top of each topic.
Each candidate will have two minutes of uninterrupted time at the beginning of each 15-minute segment of the debate, with the opposing candidate’s microphone muted.
After each has had their two minutes, open discussion will be allowed and both candidates’ microphones will be on.
Moderator Kristen Welker will not have control of a mute button and will be able to return any time taken up by interruptions back to a candidate.
The Commission on Presidential Debates noted both campaigns had agreed to debate rules.
“We realise, after discussions with both campaigns, that neither campaign may be totally satisfied with the measures announced today,” it said.
“We are comfortable that these actions strike the right balance and that they are in the interest of the American people, for whom these debates are held.”
All 5 Australian networks will screen the Debate Live to Air at 12pm AEDT on Friday.
Source: ABC
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3 Responses
It is a little sad that two grown men can’t conduct themselves professionally enough that they have to have so many controlling measures.
Debaters should be able to speak uninterrupted so I agree with this even though it can be understandably frustrating when someone says something incorrect unchallenged. A true test would be in the open discussion and how that is conducted. If I was setting the rules for the debate, there would be 1 minute uninterrupted right of reply and then open discussion.
… I’ve already got a better “mute button” here at home … the TV won’t be on!!!