Facts, lies and the 2012 election

Hour 1

In a presidential election where each candidate accused the other of playing lose with the facts, in the end each campaign, to some degree, was guilty of misrepresenting the truth.    As a result, what we saw was an unprecedented rise in journalists turning into fact checkers in print, online, and on television and radio.   They had to work harder and faster to keep up with the false claims, exaggerations and downright lies that shaped the political discourse.  But were their efforts effective and did they make a difference?  Did the public pay any attention and do voters even care about the facts?  And why and how can politicians get away with it?   In this hour of Radio Times we’ll talk about political facts vs. lies and what we can do to demand accuracy and honesty in politics.  Our guest is Dartmouth professor of government BRENDAN NYHAN.

Listen:
[audio: 110912_100630.mp3]
AP Photo/Chris Carlson