As discussions continue over whether the party leaders will take part in TV debates ahead of the next general election, there is a new call for them to go head-to-head - this time online.
It comes from two newspapers - the Telegraph and the Guardian - as well as online video site YouTube, which is owned by Google.
Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat boss Nick Clegg are being urged to take part in Britain's first debate hosted online in the run-up to the 2015 election.
The media organisations have submitted the plan to them, claiming it would help engage the public in a more interactive way than the TV debates held before the 2010 contest.
The debate would also not be covered by the strict rules on impartiality which govern traditional broadcasters so could be more flexible in its format, the organisations claimed.
The consortium said the debate would be hosted by a female moderator, unlike in 2010 when all three for the debates on Sky News, the BBC and ITV were men.
The Telegraph Media Group's editor-in-chief Jason Seiken said: "The power of digital media comes in its ability to connect our leaders and the public in a two-way conversation.
"It appeals to millions who have not previously bothered to engage in the political process."
Alan Rusbridger, the Guardian's editor-in-chief, said: "The digital world has become an increasingly vital democratic tool and forum for debate, and it's imperative that politicians understand and embrace the opportunities afforded to them by it.
"Open, digital-first journalism that holds power to account lies at the heart of the Guardian's mission, which is why we believe the proposed partnership between us, the Telegraph and YouTube is such an important and exciting next step in the changing relationship between politicians and the electorate."
Former BBC journalist Peter Barron, a spokesman for YouTube's parent company Google, said: "Given the way voters are consuming and engaging with news these days we think it's time for an online election debate.
"And this unprecedented partnership between YouTube, the Guardian and the Telegraph offers the perfect platform for it."
Sky's Deputy Political Editor Joey Jones said: "It's a very interesting alliance here when you have the Guardian on the left and the Telegraph on the right coming together with Google/YouTube to try to make this work.
"It is not the sort of thing that anyone could ever have imagined possibly even months, let alone years ago.
"Clearly they have perceived there is what they believe to be a bandwagon rolling and they want to get on board with it.
"The issue really is whether or not the politicians not only say they want to make it work but actually can find a way through."
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/media-bosses-call-online-leaders-debate-181110115.html
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