Leaders' debate? What debate? What election? Media falls down on the job

Did you know there is a televised debate tonight at 5 p.m. between BC Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell, New Democrat Opposition Leader Carole James and Green Party Leader Jane Sterk?

Do you know who the moderator is for the only TV debate?

Do you know if there is a panel of journalists asking questions? Who they are? What the format is?

Well, neither do I - and therein lies a tale.

Saturday afternoon I tuned in to the Sean Leslie Show on CKNW AM 980 to hear some updates on the election. Sean, to his credit, said on air that he did not know who the TV debate moderator was nor the format.

Sean asked his first guest, Province reporter Ian Austin - who didn't know either despite travelling on the campaign bus for the BC Liberals.

Sean asked his second guest, Canadian Press reporter Dirk Meissner - who also didn't know despite travelling on the NDP campaign bus.

I've been scouring the Internet this morning to no avail either - I found a news release about the debate that gives time - 5 p.m. - place - Shaw Cable studios in downtown Vancouver - and how media types can get accredited - but no mention of a host or media panel asking questions.

I've emailed CBC producer Wayne Williams for details and if I get them they will be posted here.

UPDATE! - Wayne Williams quickly got back to me - thanks Wayne! - and tells me that former news anchor Russ Froese is the host of tonight's 1 hour, commercial free broadcast. Froese is currently a Senior Counsellor at James Hoggan & Associates.

There is no media panel - questions will be posed by viewers from all the TV stations involved in the broadcast, including CBC, Global and CTV.

There will be 2 questions for each leader in 6 broad categories which include the economy, healthcare etc.


BACK TO EARLIER POSTING - Meanwhile, here's all that's been determined so far - the news release from the TV/media consortium.

You will note that BC Conservative Leader Wilf Hanni and BC Refederation Party Leader Mike Summers are not invited to participate.

Lastly, I will be live blogging on Public Eye Online with host Sean Holman and panelists Alex Tsakumis of 24 hours and former Vancouver School Trustee Eleanor Gregory throught out the hour-long debate.

Following that, The Tyee will be posting a series of reports and fact-checking on the debate, where I will also take part.

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Media Advisory

Provincial leaders' debate Sunday May 3, 2009

VANCOUVER, April 30 /CNW/ - A consortium of B.C. media organizations will present a live, one-hour, commercial-free party leaders' debate this Sunday.

Location: Shaw Cable, Main Floor, 1067 West Cordova St., Vancouver

Time: 5 pm

Participants (alphabetically): Gordon Campbell of the B.C. Liberals;
Carole James of the B.C. NDP and Jane Sterk, of the Green Party of B.C.

A media room is being provided. The debate will take place in a separate,
closed studio. Audio and video feeds will be provided, but the number of
outlets is limited.

Arrangements should be made to record off-air at individual stations as a precaution.

Ten-minute scrums will be held with each of the leaders after the debate,
starting at 6:15 pm. Local TV and radio are welcome to record these scrums. A
uni-mike setup will be provided.

IMPORTANT:

Members of news media are required to register in advance with name,
position, organization and contact info. Credentials required on site prior to
admittance.

Media should arrive no later than 4:45 pm.

Send registration information by email to: XXXX