WFSB-TV Relents On Debate Embargo

(From The Hartford Courant -- By Jon Lender)

Amid growing criticism, WFSB-TV, Channel 3, agreed to let reporters from other news organizations into THE BUSHNELL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS to cover Wednesday's U.S. Senate race debate sponsored by the station.

As of Monday, the Hartford CBS affiliate was planning to ban all reporters other than its own from Wednesday's 3 pm taping of the one-hour debate -- and then to maintain a 27-hour news blackout until it broadcast the pre-recorded event Thursday at 7 pm.

But protests began to arise after the station's plans were outlined in THE COURANT Tuesday morning -- and by mid-afternoon WFSB General Manager KLARN DePALMA said that outside reporters would be admitted for same-day coverage.

"At the end of the day, it's freedom of speech, so I wanted to make sure everyone had access to it," DePalma.

WFSB-TV Relents On Debate Embargo