US writers strike hits Democratic debate
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — A labor dispute which has darkened US light entertainment and chat shows claimed another victim on Wednesday, forcing the cancellation of a CBS News debate among Democratic White House hopefuls.
The debate, scheduled for Los Angeles on December 10, was nixed after candidates including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama said they would refuse to cross a picket line that the Writers Guild of America Union had threatened to set up.
"CBS News regrets not being able to offer the Democratic presidential debate scheduled for Dec. 10 in Los Angeles," CBS said in a statement.
"The possibility of picket lines set up by the Writers Guild of America and the unwillingness of many candidates to cross them made it necessary to allow the candidates to make other plans."
CBS news writers had been considering joining their entertainment counterparts on strike on December 10, in an apparent bid to disrupt the debate.
Writers began striking on November 5 after the entertainment producers alliance rejected demands for a greater share of profits from Internet and new media sales.
It is the first strike by the 12,000-strong writer's union in nearly 20 years. The dispute has already led to production or postponement of several hit television shows like "Desperate Housewives" and "24."
