Political news refers to any news involving politics at the local, regional or national level. It is usually a key topic during election years, especially presidential elections. Local and national media offer political coverage through a variety of formats from in-studio panel discussion shows, live debates and town hall meetings to televised campaign events, rallies and press gaggles. In addition, online news sources abound – some reputable and others not so much. The internet has blurred the lines between traditional offline media and independent and grassroots journalism.
Politics is a complex subject that requires in-depth understanding, which is why so many people pursue careers as political journalists. The plethora of new information, however, is often a challenge for journalist to sift through in order to provide an accurate and balanced account of the issues. The goal of political news should be to cover all sides, offering a clear picture of the issues as they affect the people who are listening or reading.
As a result, political journalists must be prepared to take risks in presenting the facts and the truth in a manner that is easy for people to understand. In addition, they need to be ready for controversy and a polarized public. In the past, well-known personalities like Hunter S. Thompson and Barbara Walters were known for their “gonzo journalism” style of following politicians on the campaign trail or hard hitting interviews.