As we prepare for the second presidential debate of the 2012 election season, we become aware of the vast array of tools made available because of the Internet. From live streaming to live fact checking, this election has highlighted the power of politics online and the internet's ability to provide voters with endless streams of information.
Viewers are no longer just watching the debate, rather they are sharing information on social media, smart phones in hand. While President Obama and Governor Romney spar in a town hall style debate, answering questions from both the moderator Candy Crowley and the audience on domestic and foreign policy, voters will be checking the facts live, online.
As cited by POLITICO, voters in the digital era are increasingly gathering information online. A poll conducted by Global Strategy Group and Public Opinion Strategies cites:
Fully 64% of voters use the Internet to verify or “fact check” a claim made by a candidate, including 34% who do so weekly, and 58% search for information online about candidates’ voting records or positions on the issues, including more than a quarter (26%) who do so weekly.
If you're among the 64% of voters live fact checking Obama and Romney, you might find this list of active fact checking Twitter accounts and blogs useful:
FactCheck.org
As a nonpartisan, nonprofit "consumer advocate," FactCheck.org has been after the truth for the entirety of the election, analyzing claims made by the presidential candidates and allowing users to submit questions on their website. FactCheck.org has a "Speech and Debate Check," which will be populated by analysis and conclusions drawn from tonight's presidential debate. Find them on Twitter here: @factcheckdotorg.
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a bipartisan, non-profit group committed to educating the public about issues that have a significant fiscal policy impact, will be live fact checking Obama and Romney throughout the second presidential debate. Focusing on the national debt, they will be using the hashtag #fiscalfactcheck and tweeting actively from @BudgetHawks.
New York Times
The New York Times will not only be live-blogging the debate, but they will be taking a closer look at the candidates' statements in their live fact check, located on their blog. Utilizing Twitter, they ask viewers to submit questions or requests for fact-checks using the hashtag #AskNYT and will be tweeting the results on their Twitter account, @nytimes.
Politifact
As one of the most recognized fact-checkers this election, Politifact will continue its trend in fact-checking Obama and Romney on their blog and rating their answers on a "Truth-O-Meter." They will be tweeting the facts on @politifact, inviting viewers to suggest fact-checks by including the hashtag #PolitiFactThis.
The Fact Checker
The Washington Post has made keeping up with the election easy with their all encompassing "Fact Checker," covering anything from debates to campaign ads. Searching for the "truth behind the rhetoric," the Post rates statements made by the candidates on a scale of Pinocchios. The Washington Post asks readers to submit request via email, directly on the website, or on Twitter using the hashtag #FactCheckThis.
Are we missing any? Share your favorite fact checkers in the comments below.
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