ideological criminal

Robert Hardt – Director of Politics
NY1 News
75 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY, 10011
(212) 379-3330
Robert.Hardt@ny1news.com

I’ve recently learned of the criteria that New York 1 News has adopted in selecting candidates for the Senate debate taking place tonight at Pace University. Your station has refused access to all candidates who have not reached 5 percent in the polls and raised $500,000 according to a statement reported by the Village Voice. This is not only undemocratic, but likely illegal under the 1934 Communications Act, requiring your station “to perform in the public interest, convenience, and necessity.”

NY1 should allow any ballot-qualified candidate access to the debates. This is the only justified criteria.

Beyond the undemocratic and potentially illegal actions of your station, in this particular race, NY1 has a severe conflict of interest. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Time Warner, which owns New York 1 News, was the sixth largest contributor to Senator Clinton’s 2001-2006 campaign, raising $101,000. NY1 has a vested interest in Senator Clinton, which explains the new $500,000 criteria, adopted just this year, effectively eliminating the possibility that Mrs. Clinton should have to debate the ballot-qualified challenger Jonathan Tasini, who already meets and exceeds your polling requirement.

It is essential to the proper functioning of our democracy that voters understand who is on the ballot. Your station is legally obligated to meet those essential needs and you have failed to do so.