OXFORD, Miss. – As thousands of journalists converge on the University
of Mississippi campus this week in preparation for Friday’s
presidential debate, some are offering students and locals a chance to
participate in live media events.
“We are working hard to have the media interact directly with students,
faculty and staff, as well as the rest of the local community,” said
Andy Harper, UM special assistant to the chancellor for media
relations. “If nothing else, these events offer a chance to star watch
or maybe even be on national television.”
CBS’s “The Early Show,” with anchor Harry Smith, is set to broadcast live from 6 to 9 a.m. Friday from inside the Ole Miss Student Union. Allison Rakes, a CBS News broadcast associate, encouraged anyone who wants to attend the national broadcast to arrive by 5:30 a.m., and to bring signs of support for their candidates, the Ole Miss Rebels or the Oxford community.
“We are planning to pull audience members from the crowd to take part in two, two-minute interview segments,” Rakes said. “This (debate) is such a historical event and election, and we really want the Ole Miss community to share their interest in the election on our broadcast.”
Also on Friday, CNN is broadcasting in the Grove from noon to 10 p.m. with its “Election Express Yourself” tour. The tour includes free giveaways, a political trivia competition and an opportunity to become an “iReporter” for CNN.com.
MSNBC plans to broadcast three episodes of “Hardball with Chris Matthews” live from the Union Plaza on Friday. The shows air 4-5 p.m., 6-7 p.m. and from 11 p.m. to midnight.
Several radio programs also are originating from campus during debate week. ABC Radio’s Sean Hannity is broadcasting from the Student Union, Room 403, from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday.
Radio America’s Ben Ferguson has been broadcasting live the Student Union Plaza this week, and will be on the air from 8 to 10:45 a.m. Friday. A UM alumnus, Ferguson, 27, is billed as America’s youngest nationally syndicated political commentator.
For more information on the presidential debate or related events, go to http://debate.olemiss.edu/ .