(BPR) Campaign accord saw the stage nearly set for the upcoming CNN presidential debate where candidates weren’t the only ones expected to follow slanted rules.
The announcement that CNN would be hosting the upcoming June 27 presidential debate, billed as the first of two agreed upon by President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, had set expectations that the forum favored the incumbent from the outset. Saturday, the network dispelled the doubts of many on the contrary as they released details about the rules of the 90-minute contest.
Moderated by anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, an audience would be notably absent from the venue in Atlanta, Georgia where cheering and jeering weren’t all that would be missing. Along with prohibiting pre-written notes and props of any kind, cross-talk was expected to be tamped down from the get-go as CNN’s producers would control the microphones of the candidates, keeping them muted except when they are called upon to speak.
While minutia such as which side of the stage the candidates would stand on would be determined by a coin flip, and each participant would be provided with a pen, paper, and bottle of water, the rules regarding commercial breaks impacted the candidates and other networks alike.
During the two scheduled interruptions, it was announced that staff would not be allowed to interact with the candidates. In a similar way, outlets simulcasting the event would not be allowed to add their two cents in lieu of advertisements during those windows, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Further, in order to air the simulcast, participating networks were required to refer to the event as the “CNN Presidential Debate” and promote it as the “CNN Presidential Debate Simulcast.” Even program guides were expected to read, “Simulcast: CNN Presidential Debate.”
Additionally, the CNN logo was expected to remain displayed at all times during the simulcast and the Times indicated that “Instead of the blue background showing the constitution, as seen in previous presidential debates, viewers will see the CNN logo.”
