It is questionable whether it was announced before the debate commission received their information. Other than in some rags devoted to the industry where it was know.
But the Commission it self said it was a conflict of interest and she did not inform them and should have. She was also conveniently unavailable to them prepping for the debate.
If the Commission really thought it was a conflict of interest, they would have made an announcement about Ifill's upcoming book at the beginning and end of the debate. Nothing needed to be said other than the title and the publication date.
I was curious if they did so. But, I wasn't expecting it.