When it comes to the success of a televised political debate, a strong moderator is just as important as the participant

Controlled journalist hosts can take the heat out of debates that are becoming pointlessly argumentative; and inject life into them when they look like they might run out of steam

The media is often a conduit, enabling all sorts of people – academics, pollsters, sports stars, business people and politicians – to communicate with the general public.

Proper journalism should ensure that views are challenged, analysed, amplified, evaluated. Yet it is plainly important that those who have a role in public life should be given a platform for connecting with people en masse.

That is why The Independent occasionally publishes op-eds from individual politicians, for instance. That is also why TV debates can – at least in principle – play an important role in empowering civic society.

A possible head-to-head between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn on live television in advance of next week’s “meaningful vote” has been much discussed in recent days. The gauntlet was thrown down by the prime minister, who has previously been reluctant to “squabble” on TV with other politicians. It perhaps shows how little she has to lose at the moment.

Mr Corbyn took up the challenge, as he had to in order not to lose face – although it remains to be seen whether the debate will happen, with the BBC and ITV having already pulled out as possible hosts.

The history of political debates is littered with warnings, from Gordon Brown to Richard Nixon – both men suffered the fallout from poor performances. A terrific long read by Sean O’Grady, which we will publish this weekend, explores past examples in more depth.

But there is no doubt that debates have offered interesting insights into both policies and personalities.

Effective politicians can make their own running of course, but there is also an art to moderating such encounters – strong journalist hosts can take the heat out of debates that are becoming pointlessly argumentative; and inject life into them when they look like they might run out of steam.

Not that viewers should notice the role of the moderator. That is often true of effective journalism – it is at its best when it shines light on its subjects, without drawing attention to itself.

Yours,

Will Gore

Executive editor