Why Should Media Pundits Set Questions & Tone Of Debates?

Question

Wouldn't it be a lot better, more accurate to the issues and candidacies, if the candidates themselves posed the questions to each other and answered directly to each other.
Isn't that what debating is about?
The debaters debating not only the questions but deciding which issues are important to them and contrasting themselves to the others on those issues?
Why should Tim Russert, Hannity and their ilk decide what issues will be discussed and debated?

Answer 1

It's a good way to control the thinking of the masses.