[ [link removed] ]SIGN: Demand CNN uphold debate standards and that any networks
broadcasting the debate provide live fact-checking!
John,
Tomorrow, the first 2024 presidential debate will be broadcast live on
CNN, where President Biden will face off with disgraced former president
Donald Trump—recently convicted on 34 felony counts for falsifying
documents in order to deceive voters. Yet CNN has not committed to live
fact-checking the debate, which means Trump could have a platform to spew
vitriol, lies, and dangerous disinformation to millions. It's not only
reckless, it's dangerous.
[ [link removed] ]Will you sign the petition to demand that CNN and any news networks
simultaneously broadcasting the debate feature live fact-checking?
Over the course of his four years of presidency, The Washington
Post counted 30,573 falsehoods made by Trump, many of them outright
lies.^1 This barrage of misinformation has eroded trust in our government,
media, and democracy. It is irresponsible to give a notorious liar free
airtime to manipulate and lie to voters ahead of a critical election—we
have to demand that the media do better.
During the last debate between Biden and Trump in 2020, the confrontation
completely devolved, with Trump launching into long tirades and petty
insults. The debates were called "chaotic" and "unwatchable."^2 CNN has
implemented a series of rules in order to avoid the pitfalls of the last
debate cycle, but we need them to know that we are watching and expecting
them to enforce the standards of conduct. And it's not just monitoring the
speaking time and controlling the microphones—the moderators and network
have a responsibility to fact-check and call out lies in real time.
[ [link removed] ]Click here to join more than 26,000 MoveOn members and sign the
petition ahead of tomorrow's debate to demand that CNN uphold debate
standards, and that other outlets broadcasting or covering the debates
live fact-check Trump and provide context and journalistic skepticism to
his claims!
Thanks for all you do.
–Valeria, Isbah, Jensine, Aliya, and the rest of the team
P.S. See our email below from last week to read more about the spectacle
of the last debate cycle and why we can't let the media make the same
mistakes this time around.
Sources:
1. "Trump casts doubt on the legitimacy of the election and refuses to
condemn White supremacists in chaotic debate," CNN, September 30, 2020
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
2. "Trump's false or misleading claims total 30,573 over 4 years," The
Washington Post, January 24, 2021
[link removed]
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[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition to demand CNN uphold debate standards in upcoming
presidential debates!
Dear MoveOn member,
We're just over 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, they 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.
[ [link removed] ]We need presidential debates that help everyday Americans make informed
decisions about the future of our country. Sign our petition NOW to demand
live fact-checking and fair debate moderation from CNN!
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.^3 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.^4 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.
[ [link removed] ]Will you sign the petition to restore integrity in the 2024
presidential debates? It's critical that voters and viewers demand CNN
uphold debate standards.
Demand CNN and other networks NOT give Trump free air time to spew
misinformation to millions of voters. Demand they implement real-time
fact-checking and enforce strict speaker time limits!
[8]Sign the petition
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.
[ [link removed] ]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.^5 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.
[ [link removed] ]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:
3. "Analysis: US presidential debate quickly devolves into disgrace
without strong moderation," CNN Business, September 29, 2020
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
4. "Chris Wallace Struggled to Rein In an Unruly Trump at First Debate,"
The New York Times, October 2, 2020
[link removed]
5. "Research note: Lies and presidential debates: How political
misinformation spread across media streams during the 2020 election,"
Misinformation Review, December 17, 2021
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
You're receiving this petition because we thought it might interest you.
It was created on MoveOn.org, where anyone can start their own online
petitions. You can [ [link removed] ]start your own petition here.
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