### CBS News Puts Fact-Checking Responsibility on Vice Presidential Candidates for Upcoming Debate

NEW YORK (AP) – CBS News has announced that in next week's vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, it will be the candidates' duty to fact-check each other rather than the moderators. The decision marks a notable departure from previous debates and raises questions about the network’s editorial strategy.

The 90-minute debate, slated for 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, will take place in a Manhattan studio with a rich history, including hosting the children’s program "Captain Kangaroo." Norah O’Donnell, the outgoing anchor for "CBS Evening News," and Margaret Brennan, the host of "Face the Nation," will serve as moderators for the event.

This move contrasts sharply with ABC’s approach during the recent debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. In that debate, moderators corrected several of Trump’s statements but none from Harris, which sparked outrage from Trump and his supporters. Furthermore, in a contentious CNN debate last spring, moderators did not fact-check candidates Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, whose poor performance led him to exit the race.

CBS said in a statement on Friday that it will provide real-time fact-checking through its misinformation unit, CBS News Confirmed, via its live blog, social media channels, and post-debate analysis. The network emphasized that the moderators will create opportunities for Vance and Walz to challenge each other's claims during rebuttal time.

Angie Drodnic Holan, director of the international fact-checking network at the Poynter Institute, commented on CBS's strategy, noting the potential pitfalls and the shifting of journalistic responsibilities from moderators to the candidates.

The debate format differs from the presidential debates as neither Vance’s nor Walz’s microphones will be muted while the other is speaking, potentially leading to more dynamic exchanges. However, CBS reserves the right to intervene if necessary. Each candidate will have two minutes for a closing statement, with Vance selecting to go last after winning a virtual coin toss.

This debate offers CBS an opportunity to revitalize its standing in the evening news race, especially with O’Donnell stepping down and Brennan rising in prominence. The network is also distributing its feed for other broadcasters to televise, allowing widespread viewership.

The historical studio setting for the debate adds a unique backdrop, and there's anticipation around the event given the upcoming election. While Harris has agreed to another debate with CNN, Trump has declined. Polls suggest voters are keen on more debates, showing a two-to-one preference for additional face-offs.

CBS’s "60 Minutes" aims to feature Harris and Trump in back-to-back interviews set for October 7th, although neither has committed to the appearance yet.