Political news is information about politics and government. Often it’s delivered via broadcast, print, or other media. It may cover efforts and events, but it can also provide a platform for political hopefuls to be judged by the public.
In the US, nearly identical shares of Americans say they follow local and national political news very or somewhat closely. However, Americans are more interested in presidential elections than they are in local laws or policies. When it comes to politics, most people want a little less partisanship and more objectivity from the news they get.
During the 2020 election cycle, there was a tussle between journalistic standards and political ideology. Many people felt that the candidate who won the presidency was given a pass by legacy journalists and did not face the same tough questions that would be asked of any other politician. This was particularly true when it came to reporting on his campaign.
Journalists should consider re-examining the way they approach their work in this area. Those who focus on political stories can benefit from a clearer definition of what they’re doing, and by focusing on the ‘who, what, where, when, why, and how’ of news stories. By doing this, they can cut out the snark and bias and provide readers and listeners with what they really need. They also need to remember that there is a world outside of the presidential race and voters want to hear about issues that matter to them.