Following massive backlash against ABC News over blatantly biased moderators, CBS News is hoping to avoid a repeat of the controversy with next week’s vice presidential debate. According to reports, the network will not be allowing debate moderators to “fact check” the candidates.
The 90-minute debate, which is set to take place at CBS studios at 9 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday, will be hosted by outgoing “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan.
During ABC’s presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Harris earlier this month, moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis jumped in to “fact check” Trump on multiple occasions. In more than one instance, the “fact checks” themselves wound up being incorrect.
Incorrect fact checks included a claim that full-term abortion is not permitted in any state, ignoring an explicit endorsement of the practice from former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, and a claim that there is “no evidence” of pets and local wildlife being killed by illegal aliens in a small Ohio town, which ignored police reports and citizen testimony.
Harris, on the other hand, was allowed to get away with several lies, including the false claim that police officers were killed on January 6, the thoroughly debunked “very fine people” hoax, and several false statements about her past positions.
The ABC debate marked a steep departure from the CNN-hosted presidential debate between Trump and President Biden back in June. Moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper did not interrupt the candidates at any point, drawing praise from Trump.
On Friday, CBS said the onus will be on Vance and Walz to issue corrections as they see fit. The network added that moderators will facilitate those opportunities” during rebuttal time.
In addition, the network’s own “misinformation unit” will be providing real-time updates and fact checks through blogging and social media formats.
Unlike the two presidential debates, the two sides agreed that the vice presidential candidates’ microphones will not be turned off while their opponent is speaking, increasing the likelihood of back-and-forth exchanges. CBS says it reserves the right to shut off a “hot mic” when necessary.
In addition, each candidate will get two minutes for a closing statement. Vance is set to go first after winning a virtual coin toss.
