Sign the petition to demand CNN uphold debate standards in upcoming presidential debates!
Dear MoveOn member,
We're less than a week away from when President Joe Biden and disgraced former president Donald Trump will debate each other live on CNN in Atlanta. And we remember the debates from the last presidential election cycle. Candidates talking over one another, lying, and ignoring the rules. It wasn't just embarrassing to our democracy, but worse, networks gave a platform for Trump to spread harmful falsehoods. With more than 70 million viewers, we can’t allow the same pattern of chaos and misinformation to consume the presidential debates and influence voters this year. As voters, we deserve better—there is too much at stake in this election to let lies go unchecked.
The previous presidential debate cycle was a spectacle that left many people frustrated and disheartened. Trump constantly interrupted while Biden tried to answer questions. Chris Wallace, the moderator, struggled to maintain order, turning the debate into a chaotic mess rather than an informative discussion.1 This cannot be the norm.
Just in the three presidential debates between September 29 and October 22, 2020, fact-checkers identified at least 50 false assertions by Trump.2 Without real-time fact-checking, misinformation goes unchallenged, misleading the public. CNN and other networks broadcasting the debates, including ABC News and PBS News, must implement live fact-checking to ensure viewers receive accurate information instantly.
Not only is fact-checking an issue, but so are the consistent reality-show-style interruptions and interjections of speakers. CNN has said that they will cut off mics when candidates go over time, but in the past this rule has not been enforced. Candidates need equal opportunities to speak without being interrupted. We need to let CNN know that the public is watching and expecting them to follow through with debate standards, using every tool at their disposal to hold candidates accountable.
The role of the media is crucial in upholding democratic processes. CNN and other news outlets have the opportunity to set a standard for responsible journalism by implementing measures to ensure the debate coverage is conducted with integrity and fairness. Live fact-checking and strict enforcement of debate rules are essential steps toward this goal.
Add your name to demand CNN ensure fairness and honesty in presidential debates.
In the last election cycle's first debate, former President Trump constantly interrupted both President Biden and Chris Wallace. The interruptions were so frequent that Wallace at one point joked about switching seats with Trump, because Trump was effectively controlling the debate.3 Biden, trying to address the American people directly, often had to contend with Trump's continuous interruptions. This debacle did little to inform the public and served to confuse and frustrate viewers.
This year's presidential debate is the earliest ever. As we head into a crucial election cycle, we need to do our due diligence to demand the highest standards of honesty and fairness. CNN and other networks must implement live fact-checking to verify statements in real time and address false claims immediately. And moderators must strictly enforce speaking time limits, cutting off microphones if necessary to maintain order.
Click here to sign the petition, and then share with your friends and family to amplify our message!
Thanks for all you do.
–Valeria, Isbah, Jensine, Aliya, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Analysis: US presidential debate quickly devolves into disgrace without strong moderation," CNN Business, September 29, 2020
https://act.moveon.org/go/193633?t=8&akid=394773%2E40999114%2EiXVUmF
2. "Chris Wallace Struggled to Rein In an Unruly Trump at First Debate," The New York Times, October 2, 2020
https://act.moveon.org/go/193636?t=10&akid=394773%2E40999114%2EiXVUmF
3. "Research note: Lies and presidential debates: How political misinformation spread across media streams during the 2020 election," Misinformation Review, December 17, 2021
https://act.moveon.org/go/193635?t=12&akid=394773%2E40999114%2EiXVUmF
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