CBS News to broadcast QR code for live fact-checking of vice presidential debate

CBS News is getting creative as it attempts to conduct Tuesday’s vice presidential debate fairly and productively.

The network said this week it will feature a QR code on screen during the live prime-time showdown between Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) for at least a portion of their debate.

The code will redirect viewers to a CBSNews.com blog that will offer live, real-time fact-checking of claims made by Vance and Walz during the 90-minute forum.

Tuesday night’s moderators, Margaret Brennan and Norah O’Donnell, will not offer such fact-checks live on air, network leaders told The New York Times this week.

“The goal of the debate is to facilitate a good debate between the candidates, and the moderators will give them the opportunity to fact-check each other in real time,” Claudia Milne, senior vice president for standards and practices at CBS News, told the Times.

The decision comes after ABC News, which hosted last month’s presidential debate between former President Trump and Vice President Harris, came under fire from Trump and his allies for fact-checking him in real time.

CNN, which hosted the first clash of the election cycle between Trump and President Biden took criticism itself from Democrats and media watchdogs when moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash held back on real-time fact-checks during their broadcast.