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To: The general public
Fact Checking during Presidential debates
In order assess our candidates during a debate, citizens need to have a check on the accuracy of what is being said.
A live, independent fact-checking system that quickly verifies each candidate's statements would be a great public service.
This could be incorporated into the debate platform to give the public immediate feedback, so falsehoods don't get the chance to linger.
We also need debates to be moderated by non-media people, who have no compromising concerns like ratings, interview access, or other issues.
Why is this important?
We have seen false information presented in past debates, where issues turn into "he said, she said," and facts get turned into "opinions." This does not help the public to assess the candidates, nor their platforms.
It is impossible for one candidate to hold the other accountable during a debate, as it is so easy to sidestep or attack. The moderators need to have clearly stated positions where they can simply note that questions have not been answered, and there is "30 seconds left to try again." If questions are still not answered, this needs to be simply stated. The pressure needs to be on the candidates to answer, not on the moderators to try to get them to answer.