WGA: CBS to blame for debate cancellation

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- The Writers Guild of America says CBS wouldn't have to cancel its presidential debate in Los Angeles if it would negotiate a fair contract with its employees.

The network announced Wednesday that it would not broadcast a Democratic presidential debate Dec. 10 as planned.

"The Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West regret that the Democratic National Committee has had to cancel the Dec. 10 presidential debate hosted by CBS," the guild said in a statement posted on its Web site.

"This was triggered by CBS' fear that the Democratic candidates would not cross a picket line by WGA-CBS News writers or WGA film and TV writers to participate in the debate -- a concern that could have been avoided entirely if CBS would simply sit down and negotiate a fair contract for its news and entertainment employees. Instead, CBS chose to make a decision that stifles the democratic process."

WGA scribes have been on strike since Nov. 5.

Last week, CBS News employees, who have been working for more than two years without a new contract and who are represented by the WGA, voted to authorize the guild to call a strike at any time.