Kucinich Exit An Effect Of Biased Process
Daniel Wilkinson
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: Commentary
Last week, NBC News sent out a debate dis-invitation to former Democratic candidate Dennis Kucinich, a move later upheld by the Nevada Supreme Court. In this action, the public was sent a disturbing message - the media is a self-elected officiator of the democratic process. Yesterday Kucinich dropped out of the presidential race, in part because of his inability to garner TV time and in the midst of a tightly contested election year, this is more alarming than ever.
The trouble exploded when NBC revoked an invitation to Kucinich for the Jan. 15 Democratic debate in Las Vegas. They justified this development with a set of new requirements for participating in the debate. Suddenly, a candidate was required to be in the top three spots in Iowa or New Hampshire. Kucinich responded by calling the company's decision un-American - justly so.
NBC carelessly cited its First Amendment rights in defense of its case. Regardless of whether or not the cable conglomerate has the law-given right to exclude candidates from the electoral process is irrelevant. The legitimacy of Kucinich's campaign should not have rested on the shoulders of NBC. As the Democratic nominee for president will not be chosen for months to come, NBC overstepped its role as a news medium in the election process. The role of the media is to serve the public's desire for news. Dennis Kucinich, regardless of how unpopular he is amongst the board members at NBC, was news. He was a Democratic candidate for president in 2008. By silencing select voices in the debate, NBC effectively endorsed the candidates who were allowed to participate.
NBC has made it clear that Kucinich's voice lacks relevance in the democratic process. But more importantly, NBC has denied the rights of Kucinich's supporters, undecided voters and the rest of the voting field. In light of the turbulent reign of the current administration, voters need serious public discourse with as varied a field of opinions as possible. Kucinich, who was arguably the farthest-leaning liberal amongst the democratic candidates, would have added invariably to this debate.
The trouble exploded when NBC revoked an invitation to Kucinich for the Jan. 15 Democratic debate in Las Vegas. They justified this development with a set of new requirements for participating in the debate. Suddenly, a candidate was required to be in the top three spots in Iowa or New Hampshire. Kucinich responded by calling the company's decision un-American - justly so.
NBC carelessly cited its First Amendment rights in defense of its case. Regardless of whether or not the cable conglomerate has the law-given right to exclude candidates from the electoral process is irrelevant. The legitimacy of Kucinich's campaign should not have rested on the shoulders of NBC. As the Democratic nominee for president will not be chosen for months to come, NBC overstepped its role as a news medium in the election process. The role of the media is to serve the public's desire for news. Dennis Kucinich, regardless of how unpopular he is amongst the board members at NBC, was news. He was a Democratic candidate for president in 2008. By silencing select voices in the debate, NBC effectively endorsed the candidates who were allowed to participate.
NBC has made it clear that Kucinich's voice lacks relevance in the democratic process. But more importantly, NBC has denied the rights of Kucinich's supporters, undecided voters and the rest of the voting field. In light of the turbulent reign of the current administration, voters need serious public discourse with as varied a field of opinions as possible. Kucinich, who was arguably the farthest-leaning liberal amongst the democratic candidates, would have added invariably to this debate.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
JoeC
posted 1/25/08 @ 2:03 PM EST
Actually, Kucinich was excluded from the following debates by the following corporations: Iowa (USA Today affiliate paper), New Hampshire (ABC/Disney), Nevada (MSNBC/ General Electric), and South Carolina (CNN/Time Warner). (Continued…)
Pat G
posted 1/27/08 @ 10:47 PM EST
I am outraged that the most likely candidate to separate our nation from the lawlessness, criminality and dishonor that has characterized the Bush administration has been knee-capped by the colluding propaganda arm of the corporation-backed neocons. (Continued…)
Post a Comment