US news organizations urge Biden and Trump to agree to TV election debates

CNN, NBC and Fox among outlets to make plea as Trump campaign calls for earlier debates and Biden remains uncommitted

Twelve US news organizations are urging Joe Biden and Donald Trump to agree to TV debates ahead of the November presidential vote, a typical feature of an election year and one that can sometimes play a crucial role.

If there is one thing Americans can agree on during this polarized time, it is that the stakes of this election are exceptionally high," the organizations including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, PBS, NBC, NPR and the Associated Press said in a statement.