Since 1969, MPT has served Maryland citizens by covering the state’s political landscape, and such coverage has included political debates during primary and general election seasons. It’s been our goal to equip citizens to make informed choices when they go to the polls.

In times of high-profile races, MPT has remained the only statewide broadcaster to offer live or unedited taped debates. Today, such coverage is accessible by broadcasting, streaming, and on other platforms.

In accordance with public television standards, MPT has earned public trust by shielding its editorial process from improper political pressure or influence from program funders or other sources. Editorial integrity is based on journalistic principles of fairness, objectivity, nonpartisanship, and community needs. 

These principles are particularly important with respect to MPT’s public affairs programming and debate coverage. Applying these fundamental principles to debate coverage, MPT adheres to the following guidelines: 

• The debate should serve the public interest. In attempting to provide a valuable, newsworthy program, MPT must balance the desire to present the broadest possible range of ideas, issues, and exposure to candidates while at the same time providing the most useful and meaningful information to viewers given limited time and resources.
   
• MPT will maintain editorial control of debates held in its studios or when held at a location under MPT’s control. In instances when MPT does not have editorial control, MPT will work with trusted partners who themselves have a positive record of serving the public interest.
   
• Whenever possible, MPT seeks to co-sponsor debates with other civic or media organizations that can help secure candidates’ participation, lend additional credibility to the event, and widen the reach of the program across Maryland.
   
• MPT is open to a variety of debate formats and often includes leading journalists on debate panels or serving as on-air host.
   
• Viewpoint-neutral criteria (that is, objective criteria not based on a candidate’s viewpoint or political beliefs) will be used for determining the inclusion of candidates in a debate. These criteria will be applied by MPT’s editorial staff exercising good-faith judgment and in consultation with any debate co-sponsors. MPT will act in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Criteria for Candidate inclusion: 

• Eligibility – The candidate must have met all legal qualifications required by federal and state governments to appear on the ballot and be eligible for office.
   
• Active campaign – A candidate must be actively campaigning for election in the jurisdiction that is at issue. For example, if the office is a statewide position, the candidate must be campaigning statewide. To meet the definition of an active campaigner, a candidate would need to establish a campaign headquarters with a paid and/or volunteer staff; generate public interest, such as being invited to speak at public gatherings and obtain monetary contributions; and have a campaign that would be sufficiently newsworthy to warrant coverage by the media.
   
• Significant candidacy – The candidate must demonstrate significant voter interest and support. Polls are one measure of voter interest. A candidate who receives at least 3% in a primary election and 10% in a general election poll that is established, reliable, and nonpartisan will be considered a significant candidate.
   

Voter interest may also be measured by votes cast for a candidate for a previous statewide, citywide, or countywide elected office.  

Substantial media coverage, financial resources beyond the candidate’s own personal resources, sizable volunteer efforts, or large turnouts at campaign stops may be further evidence of significant voter interest.