Election debates should be broadcasted live!
Statement by Sergei Mitrokhin, candidate for the Mayor of Moscow
July 30, 2013
I express my categorical protest in view of the decision of [Moscow] television channels to broadcast the debates [conducted within the framework of the Moscow mayoral elections] in recorded transmission. The explanation for this unusual decision looks simply ridiculous.
In 2009 during the Moscow City Duma elections, and in 2011 during the State Duma elections, the debates were broadcasted by the same TV channels live, and then the same studios disposed of the possibilities to hold the debates in such a format.
I believe that this decision was adopted in the interests of Acting Mayor Sergei Sobyanin who, apparently, is afraid to face me in live debates.
I am urging the Moscow-24 and the Moscow-Doveriye channel to abrogate this shameful decision and provide a platform for open and free live debates. The channels that function at the expense of Muscovites have enough airtime so that to arrange individual face-to-face debates for each of the candidates [with his rivals] rather than group discussions.
Sergei Mitrokhin,
YABLOKO Chairman
Posted: July 30th, 2013 under Freedom of Speech, Moscow Mayoral Elections 2013.