Covering politics, parliament, and elections
Here we look at the relationship between journalists and politicians. We have articles about how to interview politicians and avoid manipulation. We also look at how to report on parliament and cover elections, including planning effective election coverage, retaining editorial independence, avoiding bias, investigating irregularities, and staying safe.
Journalists and politicians
Journalism is often referred to as “the fourth estate”, and is seen as being crucial to the functioning of a healthy and fair society.
Interviewing politicians
Master the art of interviewing politicians: learn to handle scripts, stay on track, know your subject, and avoid losing your cool.
Avoiding manipulation
One of the roles of the journalist is to scrutinise the decisions made by politicians and report the implications to the public.
Planning effective election coverage
Planning is essential for journalists to produce effective election coverage.
Editorial independence during elections
Election coverage is one of the most critical responsibilities of the media. It shapes public discourse, informs voters, and plays a vital role in safeguarding democracy.
Avoiding bias during election coverage
During elections politicians will often accuse media organisations and their journalists of bias. We look at the challenges of producing fair election coverage.
Investigating election irregularities
What should journalists look out for when covering elections? We look at five areas.
Media safety during elections
Journalists covering elections should never carry a weapon, should have first aid training, dress appropriately, listen to the locals and avoid confrontation.
Parliamentary reporting for beginners
To cover Parliament, a journalist must master local laws, procedure, and political parties, backed by a solid grasp of history.
Handling story leaks and tip-offs
A critical factor for journalists when handling and disseminating leaked material is the need to take account of the motives of the leaker.
Related learning resources
Lesson: How to interview politicians
This lesson plan is designed to help journalism students interview politicians in order to uncover answers that inform the audience.
Lesson: Planning tips for effective election coverage
A lesson outline for trainers to teach students how to plan election coverage.