Post by Inside Australian Idol on Jun 24, 2004 2:54:13 GMT 10
Reality TV hits Senate
By Marcus Casey
June 23, 2004
REALITY TV will invade the federal election campaign, with a national contest to elect six independent candidates for the Senate.
Dial in democracy ... Senator Amanda 'Fro' Vanstone and Senator Bob 'Condo Kid' Brown
Channel 7 announced it was going ahead with Vote For Me, where 18 serious candidates will be chosen by political experts, before the audience votes for a final six.
The winners will then get $10,000 and regular air time by Seven in their quest to be elected to the Senate.
The contestants will run for Senate spots in Queensland, NSW, Victorian, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
The panel will comprise former top John Howard adviser Grahame Morris, ALP heavyweight Barry Jones and Seven network social commentator/journalist Lisa Wilkinson.
"The network will not be involved in politics - instead we'll be facilitating viewers to get involved in politics if they're so inclined," Seven news and public affairs director Peter Meakin said yesterday.
The project initially will be contained in the breakfast show Sunrise, which discusses politics daily with viewers in a feedback section.
Sunrise will run the press conference plus daily stories following the 18 contestants so viewers can judge who they think has the political goods, via SMS voting.
"This is Sunrise listening to its viewers and answering their call for the average Australian to be heard," Meakin said.
Mark Latham's office was approached, and while the Opposition Leader liked the idea, it would would not take part. PM John Howard's office declined to comment.
The Daily Telegraph
entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,9928959%255E10431%255E%255Enbv,00.html
By Marcus Casey
June 23, 2004
REALITY TV will invade the federal election campaign, with a national contest to elect six independent candidates for the Senate.
Dial in democracy ... Senator Amanda 'Fro' Vanstone and Senator Bob 'Condo Kid' Brown
Channel 7 announced it was going ahead with Vote For Me, where 18 serious candidates will be chosen by political experts, before the audience votes for a final six.
The winners will then get $10,000 and regular air time by Seven in their quest to be elected to the Senate.
The contestants will run for Senate spots in Queensland, NSW, Victorian, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
The panel will comprise former top John Howard adviser Grahame Morris, ALP heavyweight Barry Jones and Seven network social commentator/journalist Lisa Wilkinson.
"The network will not be involved in politics - instead we'll be facilitating viewers to get involved in politics if they're so inclined," Seven news and public affairs director Peter Meakin said yesterday.
The project initially will be contained in the breakfast show Sunrise, which discusses politics daily with viewers in a feedback section.
Sunrise will run the press conference plus daily stories following the 18 contestants so viewers can judge who they think has the political goods, via SMS voting.
"This is Sunrise listening to its viewers and answering their call for the average Australian to be heard," Meakin said.
Mark Latham's office was approached, and while the Opposition Leader liked the idea, it would would not take part. PM John Howard's office declined to comment.
The Daily Telegraph
entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,9928959%255E10431%255E%255Enbv,00.html