For Immediate Release
Sept. 11, 2008
Media Contact: Dennis Ryerson, 317-444-6169, dennis.ryerson@indystar.com
INDIANA DEBATE COMMISSION ANNOUNCES MODERATORS FOR UPCOMING FALL DEBATES
Format Rules also Agreed to by Campaigns
INDIANAPOLIS--The Indiana Debate Commission today announced its three moderators for the upcoming gubernatorial debates, including a veteran Indiana broadcaster, university president and public television host.
The moderators include:
Dan Lowery - moderator of the Sept. 16 debate in Merrillville, Ind.
Lowery is the host of Lakeshore Focus, a half-hour public affairs program broadcast by Lakeshore Public Television in Merrillville , Ind. For five years, he served as executive director of the Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council, a non-profit leadership organization chaired by presidents and chancellors of Northwest Indiana's six colleges and universities. Lakeshore Public Television broadcasts to 3.5 million homes throughout Northwest Indiana, Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.
Jo Ann M. Gora - moderator of the Sept. 23 debate in Jasper, Ind.
Gora has served as Ball State University's president in Muncie , Ind., since 2004. She was honored as one of the most influential women in Indiana by the Indianapolis Business Journal last year. In 2005, she received a Torchbearer Award from the Indiana Commission for Women for her commitment to higher education. The award is the highest honor given by the state of Indiana to Hoosier women who have overcome or removed barriers to equality.
Tom Cochrun - moderator of the Oct. 15 debate in Bloomington, Ind.
In his 40-plus year broadcasting career, Cochrun's work has been seen on four Indianapolis television stations and has been heard by listeners at several central Indiana radio stations including WIBC in Indianapolis. He received a national Emmy Award for Community Service for his investigative work while at WTHR-TV, the Indianapolis NBC affiliate, about the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana . Cochrun also successfully operated a documentary production company called Nineteenth Star which provided films to international and national cable markets.
"The commission wanted moderators who do not have political connections and who are not currently linked to any one media outlet," said Dennis Ryerson, vice president of the commission and editor of The Indianapolis Star. "We also wanted moderators who, in front of a live audience and in a broadcast setting, could ensure fair and credible, voter-focused debates. With Dan Lowery, Jo Ann Gora and Tom Cochrun, we've been able to achieve our goals."
The debate commission is accepting questions from the public online at www.indianadebatecommission.com and also by mail addressed to its Indianapolis office at 3909 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Ind., 46208.
"Hundreds of thoughtful questions have been received and reviewed," said Max Jones, editor of the Tribune-Star in Terre Haute , Ind. , and the commission board member heading up the review committee. "The moderators will be asking only questions that have been submitted by the public--either online or through the mail."
Commission board members also met with campaign officials on Friday who represent the candidates--Republican Mitch Daniels, Democrat Jill Long Thompson and Libertarian Andy Horning. All signed an agreement to the proposed format rules for the fall debates.
(Editors Note: Photos of moderators available upon request.)
About the Indiana Debate Commission
The Indiana Debate Commission is a non-partisan, statewide group of affiliate organizations dedicated to promoting debates at the state level. Incorporated in the fall of 2007, the IDC will work with candidates, sponsors, venues and citizen groups to promote open, unbiased and transparent debates for Hoosier voters. For more information visit: www.indianadebatecommission.com
Indiana Debate Commission Affiliates
Indiana Coalition for Open Government (Founding Group)
Indiana Associated Press Managing Editors
Indianapolis Association of Black Journalists
Indiana Associated Press Broadcasters Association
Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations
The Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations
Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists
League of Women Voters of Indiana
The Radio-Television News Directors Association
AARP
The Indiana Broadcasters Foundation
Hoosier State Press Association
Indiana State Bar Association
