William Bonner has been the moderator of the Jornal Nacional for 21 years and is one of the country’s most important facilitators of election debates. At the last one, on Thursday 29th, with a heated tone in the pulpits, the journalist’s attitude towards the excesses of the candidates was a subject that received much comment on social networks.
“The debate ushered in a new era in which candidates with nothing to lose can dedicate themselves to sabotaging the previously agreed dynamic,” Bonner told journalist Ancelmo Góis of the newspaper O Globo. In the note, the moderator says that tension has increased over the years. He drew parallels between the growth of social media and the popularity of bigotry on those channels. In this scenario, Bonner explained that it was necessary to reconsider the schema of the electoral debate.
During the debate, the journalist seemed uncomfortable with the attitude of some candidates, including Father Kelmon, who was warned not to speak during the time reserved for his opponents: “You made your own rules,” Bonner criticized during the debate of the PTB candidate .
“Today, the electoral law obliges broadcasters to invite candidates from parties that have at least half a dozen MPs. This increases the number of participants enormously,” wrote Bonner. The journalist added: “Perhaps it is time to establish a rule that increases the political representation requirements for a candidate to participate in debates.”
(status content)