Rachel Maddow as debate moderator
3 responses | 0 likes
Started by metmike - June 12, 2019, 9:42 p.m.


Rachel Maddow as debate moderator raises questions, plus CJR’s public editor announcement and the ‘luxury’ of Tribune Tower

https://www.poynter.org/newsletters/2019/rachel-maddow-as-debate-moderator-raises-questions-plus-cjrs-public-editor-announcement-and-the-luxury-of-tribune-tower/


NBC News’ decision to tap an ‘opinion journalist’ as one of it debate moderators raised some questions Tuesday.

One of these things is not like the other.

NBC News has picked five moderators for the first Democratic presidential debate later this month. They are Lester Holt, Chuck Todd, Savannah Guthrie, Jose Diaz-Balart and … Rachel Maddow?

The name that seems a bit out of place is Maddow. Not because she isn’t capable, but because, unlike the others, Maddow hosts an opinion show where she is the one giving her opinion.

Holt anchors the “NBC Nightly News.” Todd hosts “Meet The Press.” Guthrie co-anchors “Today.” Diaz-Balart anchors “Noticias Telemundo” and Saturday’s “Nightly News.” All are down-the-middle journalists.

Comments
By TimNew - June 13, 2019, 3:50 a.m.
Like Reply

I am not familiar enough with all the names above,  but labeling Chuck Todd a "Down the middle journalist"?

By carlberky - June 13, 2019, 5:46 a.m.
Like Reply

"NBC News’ decision to tap an ‘opinion journalist’ as one of it debate moderators raised some questions Tuesday."

If she were moderating a Republican debate, I would agree.


By TimNew - June 13, 2019, 6:52 a.m.
Like Reply

Yeah,  Maddow in a pub debate or a debate between the pub and dem candidate would be very very wrong.

But, debate moderators should have some level of impartiality.  Difficult to find when limiting yourself to MSM talking heads.  Who made that rule anyway?

How about if we had moderators with some real world experience, moderators who knew and understood the constitution and or economics?

Nahhh,  they'd make all the candidates look like illiterate fools and that's not what these debates are about.