Australian TV Worm Banned

Australian PM John Howard has denied involvement in a decision to ban a graphic that tracks audience opinion during a live TV election debate.

Critics accused Mr Howard of coercing the host, the National Press Club, to ban the use of the "worm".

Channel Nine's feed was cut 25 minutes into the debate between Mr Howard and the opposition leader Kevin Rudd.

The controversy has eclipsed the issues under discussion, which included the economy and Australia's role in Iraq.

The Channel Nine worm charts the changing opinions of 90 undecided voters in the upcoming November elections.

It turns white and climbs up the screen if the audience reaction is positive, but turns red and burrows down when the voters have a negative reaction.

Mr Howard has fared badly against the worm in previous debates, and has argued that its presence trivialises politics and distracts from the issues being debated.
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