CNN will make history on Thursday as they host their own general election presidential debate, the first network to do so in over 35 years. This debate is not only crucial for the country as it selects a new president, but also for CNN itself, as the network is undergoing a major newsroom overhaul to adapt to the digital future under new leader Mark Thompson.
The debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will be a marketing triumph for CNN and is expected to draw record ratings. Other networks have been allowed to air the event, as long as they follow CNN’s rules regarding promotion and broadcast. This branding opportunity comes at a time when CNN’s television viewership has been declining, falling behind competitors like MSNBC and Fox News.
The debate will feature some changes from traditional formats, including commercial breaks and muted microphones for the candidates. There will be no live audience, and the podiums will be placed closer together than in the previous debate between Trump and Biden. The early timing of the debate is seen as an effort to reach voters who are not yet engaged in the election.
While both candidates have agreed to the terms of CNN’s debate, including the format and rules, the Trump campaign has raised objections to the moderators, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Despite this, the debate will not include a formal fact-checking component, with CNN planning to fact-check the candidates’ claims after the telecast.
With the Commission on Presidential Debates canceling its debates for the 2024 election cycle, the role of such organizations in future debates has been called into question. Critics have suggested that highly partisan actors could end up hosting debates, but experts believe that the current system, where campaigns must agree to specific terms, will continue to prevent extreme politicization of debates.
