Journal-isms | The Hollywood Reporter | The Grio | Tampa Bay Times
The Commission on Presidential Debates’ decision to name a female moderator for the first time in 20 years has ended one controversy and fired up another: This year’s slate marks “the first time since 1996 that there will be no moderators of color for either a vice presidential or presidential debate,” Richard Prince writes.
CPD sent Prince a statement expressing confidence in its selections:
We recognize that there are many organizations and individuals who wish they had been included in our moderator selection. Debate arithmetic means that it is impossible to accommodate all of them. However, we strongly believe that the four journalists we have named see their assignment as representing all Americans in their choice of topics and questions.
Univision boss Randy Falco wrote the commission Wednesday, noting that Hispanics “could play a critical role” in the election and offering to host another debate “that will speak directly to this burgeoning audience so influential to the presidential dialogue and outcome.” The commission declined the offer, Marisa Guthrie reports in The Hollywood Reporter.
Zerlina Maxwell writes in The Grio that the commission botched a chance to reverse its dismal track record on diversity:
Only two people of color have ever moderated a presidential debate: Bernard Shaw in 1988 and Carol Simpson in 1992. In a country currently undergoing dramatic demographic shifts, it’s time for the presidential debates to reflect the diversity of the viewing and voting public.
Eric Deggans writes in the Poynter-owned Tampa Bay Times that the all-white debate mods “may say more about failing struggles to diversify the journalism business than anything.”
Previously: Candy Crowley will be the first woman to moderate a presidential debate in 20 years | Teens push for female debate moderator as female journalists quietly root for their success | Presidential debates honcho: ‘Very hard to find’ good moderators | Security turns away high schoolers petitioning for female debate moderators
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