In a bid to ensure transparency and informed decision-making among voters, twelve prominent US news organizations, including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, PBS, NBC, NPR, and the Associated Press, have called on Joe Biden and Donald Trump to agree to TV debates ahead of the November presidential vote.

The organizations highlighted the exceptional importance of this year's election and emphasized that there was no substitute for the candidates engaging in debates with each other and presenting their visions for the future of the nation before the American people.

However, both major candidates have been hesitant to debate against rival candidates from their own parties. Trump has declined to participate in debates with former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and others, while Biden has resisted calls to engage in televised debates with Democratic candidates who have since withdrawn their electoral efforts to challenge him.

The news organizations stressed that it was not too early for each campaign to publicly commit to participating in the three presidential and one vice-presidential TV showdowns, which have been scheduled by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.

During the 2020 election, Biden and Trump engaged in two debates, and a third debate was canceled after then-president Trump tested positive for Covid-19. The Trump campaign has recently called for the debates to be held earlier and more frequently, citing the significant number of early voters. They estimate that by the first scheduled debate on September 16, over 1 million Americans will have likely cast their ballots, with more than 8.7 million voting by the third debate on October 9.

Trump has expressed his willingness to debate Biden "anytime, anyplace, and anywhere," beginning immediately. On the other hand, Biden has not committed to any debates yet, stating that his decision would depend on Trump's behavior.

The news organizations' appeal to both candidates is driven by a desire for a fair and open exchange of ideas, allowing voters to make informed choices about the future leadership of the nation. As the November election approaches, the pressure for Biden and Trump to agree to participate in televised debates continues to mount.