Political Forum in Franklinton on September 21, 2019

Mt. Hermon Web TV recorded a political forum on Saturday, September 21, 2019 in Franklinton,

Louisiana. Candidates for the offices of State Senate District 12, State Representative Districts 74 and 75, Washington Parish Sheriff, and Washington Parish President were present. Our intention was to make the video available to the residents.

Very few people were present for the forum. Of the perhaps 50 who were present, most were candidates or family members of the candidates. Therefore, the forum's benefit to voters would be from viewing video of the forum.

The majority of the forum was positive messaging and the candidates are congratulated for that.  However, the forum consisted, in part, of negative comments and tone that is not consistent with our policy of relaying or reporting political messaging. As the political season approached earlier this year, we published an “Editor's Note” (click here to read) that we would decline unverified or unverifiable negative advertising. While the forum recording is not advertising, it is political messaging.

We have made a decision to not make the forum recording available. The decision is consistent with our policy and constitutes the exercise of editorial control and judgment guaranteed by the First Amendment of a free press.