Instant fact-checking

If the 2008 primary and presidential races were the test-run for social media's involvement in debates, with moderators awkwardly introducing questions via YouTube to candidates, 2012 might be the year it finally found its place. Fuzzy video and audio questions out, instant fact-checking via Twitter in. Bloggers and mainstream media pundits alike capitalized on the opportunity a quick-hit, 140-character tweet offered to debunk candidates' misleading statements, out-of-context quotes and other half-truths in real time. If history is any indicator, instant fact-checking will have a place for years to come.

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( Doug Pensinger / Getty Images )

If the 2008 primary and presidential races were the test-run for social media's involvement in debates, with moderators awkwardly introducing questions via YouTube to candidates, 2012 might be the year it finally found its place. Fuzzy video and audio questions out, instant fact-checking via Twitter in. Bloggers and mainstream media pundits alike capitalized on the opportunity a quick-hit, 140-character tweet offered to debunk candidates' misleading statements, out-of-context quotes and other half-truths in real time. If history is any indicator, instant fact-checking will have a place for years to come.

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