Media Access reform (was Re: Condorcet in the U.K./U.S.)

[Steve Eppley]

Mike O wrote:
-snip-
>A candidate, regardless of the tv networks' judgement of that
>candidate, should get airtime in proportion to some measure of
>public support.
-snip-

I'm not sure it should be proportional.  Maybe something nonlinear
would be better, so less known candidates get more than the
so-called "fair" share that a proportional formula would give 
them.  The well-known candidates don't need it as much.

If "valid" polls could be used as a measure of support, then it might 
be possible to increase a candidate's share of airtime if exposure 
to his/her candidacy causes a bump up in the polls, and decrease the 
candidate's share if exposure causes a decline.  If some scheme like 
this were used, then maybe all the candidates could start with an 
equal share of airtime and the electorate's responses would determine
how the shares change.

---Steve     (Steve Eppley    seppley at alumni.caltech.edu)