WADL-TV 38 Stays True to Candidate Fairness and Format in Upcoming Mayoral Debate

WADL-TV 38 Stays True to Candidate Fairness and Format in Upcoming Mayoral Debate

Station does not bow to Mayoral candidate Sharon McPhail's demands

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- McPhail out of televised debates.

In an unexpected turn of events Mayoral candidate Sharon McPhail refused to debate with a candidates that were randomly selected after she did not rank in the top four. The Mayoral debates in Detroit on December 2nd 2008 were broadcast live on WADL and featured the top three candidates. In an attempt to be fair to all fifteen candidates WADL made a decision to broadcast three additional debates to accommodate all of the candidates. The debate would allow randomly selected candidate to address the citizens of Detroit, however after McPhail was informed of who would be debating with her made a decision to not participate. In addition she voiced her position with the Detroit News.

WADL stands by the position of fair forum for all candidates and issued the following letter to Ms. McPhail.

December 8, 2008

Sharon McPhail
567 Fiske
Detroit, Michigan 48214

Dear Ms. McPhail;

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that WADL-TV 38 Detroit's Urban TV Station has been made aware of your decision not to participate in the upcoming "Detroit Mayoral Debate" January 6th 2009. As stated in our initial invitation to you. The candidates that were polled as not top contenders and had acquired polling results that indicated 2%-1% would be selected by random selection process to participate in future debates. It is our intent to give all candidates the proper opportunity to debate the issues and present their plan for moving Detroit forward. What we find most unfortunate is the fact that we have gone to great lengths to provide an equal platform for everyone and allow the citizens to make an informed and objective decision, while you have single handedly besmirched the process while belittling the other candidates (D. Etta Wilcoxon, Coleman Young II, and Stanley Christmas). Additionally disappointing is that Detroiters are now placed in a position to assume what you stand for without actually hearing your voice and views.

It is WADL's obligation to the viewers and the community at large to present all debates in a credible and equitable manner. This process also includes the candidates' selection. We are disappointed at your decision as well as your actions and your comments in "The Detroit News" and it is our hope that it does not cast a shadow over a process that is designed to benefit the community.

The January 6th 2009 debate will go on as scheduled. In all fairness, we cannot allow any one candidate to dictate a policy that would give the appearance of favoritism in the selection process. We have no intention of replacing you for this debate. We have a podium there with your name on it. Unfortunately the citizens of Detroit will see that you have chosen not to participate in this very crucial and important process.

Sincerely,

Lewis Gibbs
President/General Manager,
WADL-TV 38 Detroit

cc: D. Etta Wilcoxon, Coleman Young II, Stanley Christmas, Warren Evans, Nicholas Hood, Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, PR Newswire

Contact:
Denise Dody Johnson
586-790-3838, x39

Source: WADL-TV 38 Detroit

CONTACT: Denise Dody Johnson, WADL-TV 38 Detroit, +1-586-790-3838, x39

Web site: http://www.wadldetroit.com/

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