Local media banned from second debate

You're kidding me right?

The Hartford CBS affiliate has banned representatives of the news media - other than its own - from Wednesday's 3 p.m. taping of the debate that is to be moderated by national CBS newsman Bob Schieffer before an audience of specially invited guests at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

After a news blackout of 27 hours, WFSB plans to show the canned one-hour event Thursday at 7 p.m.

"We're renting the hall, it's our debate, and we'll invite who we want to invite" - that was Channel 3's position, as paraphrased by Richard Foley, campaign manager for Republican candidate Alan Schlesinger. Polls show Schlesinger running a distant third in the race, and so, Foley said, "we feel that we cannot make too many demands."

Come on! This is just nuts. I can see why they want to delay broadcasting the debate with the DeStefano-Rell debate happening and all but to not allow the media from covering the event seems to be a little over the top and rather excessive.

I'm sure WFSB is taking a lot of heat over their decision from the other media outlets in the state. I'm going to make some phone calls and I'll update you when I have more information.

UPDATE:contact WFSB and give them a piece of your mind.