CNN/YouTube debates a fraud

One might have thought CNN would earn kudos for its innovative idea to host debates between makers of YouTube videos and presidential candidates in the US. Not so. According to this blogger, the notion that the station will select questions rather than basing the choice only on YouTube user ratings is no fair:

…if CNN has total editorial control over what videos are shown to the candidates, it’s pulling the rug out from under the so-called “user-generated content” revolution.

Who do CNN editors think they are, deciding what goes on CNN?

Update, 24 July 2007: The Media Research Centre appears to have found at least one reason why CNN wanted editorial control. The self-described media watchdog organisation looks for left-wing bias in the media, and in the CNN/YouTube debates, found plenty. The Democratic field got 17 questions from the left, compared to six from the right. It says if the forum on 17 September, when Republican candidates will face the video masses, does not show a similar three-to-one bias towards their conservative base, we might have to “conclude that CNN/YouTube debates will have served as little more than prime hours dedicated to advancing liberal causes.”