Political news is the type of news that deals with politics, public issues and policies. The media focuses on national and local politicians, political parties, ballot measures and other government decisions. It is often a very controversial type of news and may have a strong impact on citizens and their views.
It is important that when reporting political news the journalist puts the information in a context that the reader can understand. This is particularly important when covering elections where voters are being given a choice between different political candidates and parties. Journalists should explain the different features of each candidate so the audience can make an informed decision.
In the past, journalists have used a range of different techniques to try and influence the voting habits of their audience. For example, Hunter S. Thompson’s gonzo journalism style and Barbara Walter’s hard hitting interviews have influenced the way political news is reported today. However, as the media landscape has changed, some of the techniques that have been popular in the past have fallen out of favour. These include sensational headlines on personalities and identity politics, and flamboyant click bait pieces.
In the digital age, the public has more options for accessing news and information than ever before. This means that it is even more important for journalists to ensure that their work is sourced, accurate and unbiased. The use of biased sources can have a significant negative impact on the credibility of the whole media industry, and can have serious consequences for the trust that the general public places in journalists.