It may have come as a surprise to some this week to learn that some of the quotes attributed to the Obama and Romney presidential campaigns have first been submitted to them for checking and approval before publication.

The New York Times let us in on that information and ever since there has been a renewed debate in the craft on whether, how and why this has an impact on journalism. The most direct criticism is that quote-approval permits a reconsideration and what emerges is a sanitized statement devoid of spontaneity.

But it has also emerged that some organizations have viewed this as sound practice, and not a new one, principally to ensure statements and assertions are accurately portrayed for the record. They view this as little different from the respected technique of fact-checking.

The public attention, though, has some rethinking their policies. In an age of declining media trust, the debate continues on whether the approved quote is a boon or bane.