MEDIA RELEASE:
IMMEDIATE
Wednesday 2 November 2011 3.30pm

Fairfax Media To Host Unique Public Leaders Debate In Christchurch Tonight

The Press is hosting the South Island's only debate between National leader John Key and Labour counterpart Phil Goff.

This is the only “public debate” of the election campaign.

The two-hour debate will be live streamed on stuff.co.nz and the press.co.nz from 7pm tonight, along with comprehensive rolling coverage from senior Fairfax political journalist Vernon Small.

The debate is one of the largest projects of this kind the company has ever tackled, with four robotic cameras at the venue to provide comprehensive online cover. We will also be using live twitter feeds extensively and have a comprehensive wrap-up in print.

The editor of The Press Andrew Holden will be on stage with the politicians supported by The Dominion Post’s political editor Tracy Watkins.

The team at The Press has done a fantastic job in planning to host this event.

General Manager Andrew Boyle comment to staff today that “if anyone needed proof that The Press has embraced the concepts of Content First, and making the change to a multi-media organisation, this event demonstrates it”.

He also commented that “the marketing team has done a herculean job in organising the event and interest in the balloted tickets from the general public was extremely high”.

Group Executive Editor Paul Thompson says that it is a fantastic example of a local initiative, supported with the expertise of Fairfax Digital and the Fairfax Political Bureau.

“We’re constantly innovating to respond to consumer needs across all channels. Ultimately it means that New Zealanders will get the best coverage of the election wherever and however they are coming to us. It will be an exciting event to watch.”

The leaders debate will be streamed live from 7pm on The Press and stuff websites, and Fairfax national affairs editor Vernon Small will be live blogging on the sites. Follow the coverage on Twitter @pressnewsroom

ENDS

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