October 30, 2002

DEBATES GO DIGITAL:
CANDIDATES ADDRESS THE ISSUES 24-HOURS A DAY ON GOV-TV

Charlotte, NC - Beginning Friday, November 1, viewers with digital television receivers or Time-Warner customers with digital cable can view debates for Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners and U.S. House of Representatives - 24-hours a day.  The debates will be broadcast round-the-clock on GOV-TV through the general election on November 5, giving voters plenty of opportunities to hear the candidates. 

GOV-TV is a new digital channel dedicated to government information, administered by public television station WTVI and programmed by Mecklenburg County's Public Service and Information Department.  GOV-TV broadcasts over-the-air on digital channel 11.2 and can be viewed on Time-Warner digital cable channel 232.

The debates were produced by the League of Women Voters and taped on Monday, October 14 at WTVI's studios.  They will be broadcast in three hour-long programs, to be repeated during the five-day period.

· 1st hour: Board of County Commissioners - At-large
· 2nd hour: Board of County Commissioners - Districts 1 and 4, Congressional District 9
· 3rd hour: Congressional Districts 8 and 12