CBS News will be hosting a debate between vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz next week, where the politicians themselves, not the moderators, will be responsible for fact-checking each other. The 90-minute debate, moderated by Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, will take place in a Manhattan studio. CBS has stated that it will be up to Vance and Walz to point out misstatements by each other, with the moderators facilitating those opportunities during rebuttal time. CBS News Confirmed, the network’s misinformation unit, will provide real-time fact-checking during the debate via their live blog, social media, and post-debate analysis.
CBS’s decision to have the candidates fact-check each other marks a departure from previous debates where moderators pointed out inaccuracies by candidates. Some argue that offstage fact-checking may not reach as many viewers as on-air corrections. Angie Drobnic Holan, the director of the fact-checking network at the Poynter Institute, believes that moderators should have the journalistic courage to fact-check candidates, despite potential backlash. During the previous ABC debate, moderators corrected Trump on various statements, ranging from abortion to immigration reports.
Unlike the presidential debates, the microphones of the vice presidential candidates will not be turned off while their opponent is speaking, allowing for more dialogue and even interruptions between Vance and Walz. CBS retains the right to shut off a candidate’s microphone if necessary. The high-stakes debate is a significant moment for CBS News, aiming to gain viewership and ratings. O’Donnell recently announced her departure from the network, while Brennan is seen as a rising star. CBS is making its feed available for other networks to televise, anticipating a broad viewership for the debate.
The debate venue will have no live audience, set in a West Side studio with a history of hosting popular shows. It is unclear whether there will be additional opportunities for Trump and Harris to share a stage before the election. Harris has accepted an invitation for another debate on CNN, but Trump has refused. A poll conducted by Quinnipiac University reveals that likely voters prefer seeing the candidates face off again. CBS is also seeking to secure interviews with Harris and Trump for “60 Minutes” to air on October 7th, although both candidates have not confirmed their participation yet. Overall, CBS News is gearing up for a crucial event in the election cycle, hoping to engage viewers from a wide range of networks.
