Letter: Debates should be on free TV channels
(Paul Sancya | AP) From left, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and Andrew Yang participate in the second of two Democratic presidential primary debates hosted by CNN on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, in the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
Is the media interfering with our elections? The answer is, yes.
I was unable to watch this week’s debates, as I had for the first set. I am trying to evaluate the candidates and, when I looked in The Tribune TV schedule for July 30 and 31, there was no mention of the debates.
I discovered that an informed voter is dependent on paying to see the debate. CNN is not a free channel. I have basic cable, but it is not included. Those with only an antenna and no cable cannot watch either.
Are only the wealthy able to watch and inform themselves? All national, state and local televised debates, of either party, should only be on free and open channels so all can participate in our electoral process.
Suzanne Stensaas, Salt Lake City
Submit a letter to the editor
sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.
Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.
You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.