The Political Journalism - Essay Example

Political journalism Name Institution Why Is Political Journalism Important Political journalism is a branch of journalism which deals with the coverage of all political activities especially those dealing with governance and the political game of power. Journalism in itself is known for being first informative then critical and this permeates into the other branches of it. Political journalism informs the public of what is going on in the corridors of power (Cook 1998, 186). This includes power struggles that mark the electioneering periods. It gives the public knowledge about those involved in the struggle for power and what they stand for. Most importantly, political journalism maintains a critical eye on the activities in the political arena for the sake of public understanding. The political arena is marred with much dirt, motives and scheming. People engage in contests that at times get so fierce that without good public information may lead to heated hostility among contesting groups. Political journalism has a hand in this either as a catalyst or an injunction provider for ill ulterior political motives. Political journalists follow up politicians, seeking to understand what they do and give the public an understanding of it. This is important since it keeps the public abreast about political developments and helps the public make sense of the information they receive (Donsbach 1995, 21. When it comes to this, political journalism intertwines with political science in interpreting the political games of contenders. The behavior of politicians is understood and assigned images, meanings or symbols for the sake of public appreciation of what they are. They are assessed for their policies, their past records and what would be their most likely behavior and actions if they ascended to power (Mancini 2007, 237) . This instructs the public in the most of its elites who mostly would want to capitalize on their ignorance to perfect such ills as corruption. Moreover, political journalism also serves the role of putting the political activities of the governments to check. Through political journalism, politics of exclusion are exorcised as key government leaders are exposed for planning to advance their own private interests and that of their cronies (Dimitrova & Stromback 2012, 612). Political scandals in governance are also unveiled where political machinations work to exclude some regions, sections or the entire population from benefiting from public resources as fully as it is intended. The paparazzi behavior of political journalism soon or later catches up with this and exposes those who are involved for the purpose of keeping the public informed. Political journalism is also one of the avenues through which the values of democracy are exercised. This involves the practicing of freedom of press and expression. Political journalists lead the public in giving opinions and suggestions about political issues especially those that are contentious. An example is the role that was played by journalist in advocating for the rights of the intellectually handicapped. Through a magazine series named “The minus Children” there was a simmering public appeal and mounting pressure on the political forces to guarantee space for those who were intellectually disadvantaged. The same was done when opposing the use of capital punishment. After the hanging of the last Australian Ronald Ryan, ‘The Age’ published more than eight editorials opposing the use of capital punishment ever again. Does Political Journalism illuminate or obscure the political process Political journalism has done one or both of illumination and obscuring in different circumstances. However, in the ideal case, political journalism is meant to illuminate the political process. Those who view it as obscuring alienate political journalism from the political process. However, illumination of the political process admits that political journalism is a justifiable part of the political process. Political journalism is majorly informative and hence makes political activities to be in the knowledge of the public. It is with the people that politics is played and hence political journalism ensures that the public keeps an eye on political activities. Political journalism is viewed with fear since it exposes some political ill-motives that are swept under the carpet (Hallin 1984, 18). The perception is then that political journalism is intrusive and bars free political activities. This is a position held by the remaining vestiges of the old authoritarian state when what happened within the purviews of politics of the state was no vocabulary in the mouths of the ordinary people. This is what has been responsible for some of the political ills in the form of violation of rights of minorities and exclusion of such sections as the aboriginals from full enjoyment of citizenship rights (Donbach 1995, 27). Political journalists have been standing up to press for politics of inclusion where members from all the ethnicities of the Australian population are allowed space. Such journalists as Bruce Grant in the 1970s played a key role as investigative political reporters who helped streamline political practice. Political journalism reins in to ensure that people are kept in good knowledge about affairs that are of interest to them. This is healthy for both those in political leadership and the public. The political journalist will inform the political leader of the grievances of the people. He will help the leader to understand the behavior of the electorate and his changing interests. This helps him ensure that he does all that is necessary to maintain himself in their favor. Similarly, the public is also made to keep an eye on the policies and programs of the political leader. Political journalism assesses the policies that politicians run for their benefit to the public (Hallin 1984, 19). This is good as it ensures that what happens in politics is communicated to those who are to benefit or lose - public. The illumination on the political process is not meant to serve as a hurdle but to facilitate beneficial political practices. Political journalism only obscures the political process if it plays to the clandestine tunes of the political class. This is not what a free press and media does. A free media ensures that as much as is possible to be known about politics is put on the limelight. Actions that do not support public good are put to the citizens to judge and this helps those facilitating them to ensure that what they do is in line with the interest of the people. The political process is only obscured if political process is not critically explosive (Franklin & Murphy 1998, 127). This is the case with nations where democratic practices of freedom of expression are not yet deeply anchored. Political journalism is the lenses through which political foul play, injustice and misappropriation is brought to the surface to facilitate a fair play in the political process. It also ensures that any discriminatory tendencies are exposed so that the public can use it to judge the political leaders. DO JOURNALISTS SHAPE THE WAY THAT THE PUBLIC THINKS ABOUT POLITICS? Journalists usually do influence the manner in which the public understands issues in politics. This is because most of the people rely on the media to get information about most political issues. The public has come to trust certain political journalists for the way they either inform or dissect political debates. This means that by constantly listening to the political journalists of their choice, reading magazines or watching TV programs they render themselves susceptible to think in line with this. Political journalists can present political issues in a biased way which sends wrong information into the public. Political journalism is one of the most stimulating media engagements for most members of the public. Many people like political discussions since they themselves favor one issue or person and not the other. The trust they have in political journalism means that any biases by journalism reinforces the biases of the public (Benson 2009, 416). Political journalists are themselves humans and have their own alignments which permeate into their manner of discussing political issues. This misleads the public and they get skewed information that makes them judge political actions and debates in a wrong way. Political journalism has been known to be biased in favor of status quo. This is because they can be compromised corruptibly to promote the interests of the rich by promoting their policies of generosity or charity while downplaying their unjust ways of wealth acquisition (Norris 2011, 360). This leads to the public tending to grant more acceptance to those who are rich while repulsing the poor from involving in political issues. This is responsible for recycling of rich people in political representation due to the publicity that the media gives to them. Political journalists also may make a certain issue likely to be taken up or adopted by the way it is reported. This is through the way it is reported in a way that would suggest the issue is beneficial or important. Most of this is when there is a debate that is polarized between those who are radical and mild. Political journalism may in reporting most likely instigate more animosity through radicals if this is presented as being speedily gratifying. This is when in the choice of pictures and words present radicalism in good light (Bennet 2005, 123). This is termed as visual bias that is powerful in shaping the political perception of the people. Another form of bias that is also influential in political journalism is narrative bias. This kind would redact facts and opinions to conform to a favored structure of the narration, stereotype or character. If someone supports they may appropriate the language and flow of words and facts such as to support this alignment. Such words as “horse race” shape the perception of election contenders as the others are edged out in favor of two claiming they are the most influential. IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JOURNALISTS AND POLITICIANS COLLABORATIVE OR ADVERSARIAL? The interaction between politicians and journalists is always marred with distrust and suspicion. This is because journalists are always responsible for all the positive and negative publicity politicians get. Most of the politicians perceive journalists as busybodies who are always up to anything and nothing in particular. This is the reason as to why they always ensure they either wish them a way with a wave of hand or avoid them by any means possible. The relationship between politicians and journalists is always adversarial. For many years, countries struggled with limiting legislations that robbed the media of its freedom. What journalists reported was subjected to editing and censorship before release to TV and Radio stations for anchorage. From this, an environment of hostility between politicians and journalists originated (Benson 2010, 26). Journalists view politicians as deceptive people whose words and actions have deeper meanings than literal. Politicians on the other hand view journalists as threats because of their persistent intentions of unmasking them. This is a relationship that is distrustful and with each side having reasons of lacking belief in the other. Journalists are known for making up stories about politicians, interpreting what politicians imply beyond the outward meaning and this is received offensively by politicians. They can make a mountain out of a mole hill by following the fine details of politicians. This poses much threat to politicians who in most cases put on dispositions that are not their genuine selves. Journalists will for instance talk about how they acquired their wealth through fraudulent means if they engage in philanthropy (Lengauer, Esser & Berganza 2012, 186). They trace the roots of politicians tracking down every stage of their rise into the limelight and give the public what they deem as the true face of the politicians. Journalism has therefore, in practice, been adversarial and deemed to be constantly on the attack against scandalous tendencies of politicians. In interviews, politicians are made to answer questions about their past miss-dealings. They are taken to task over any swindles, misappropriations and poor track records in the past. Journalists therefore assume the position of a watchdog which at an opportune time snarls at the politicians who in response kick back through trials of taming the wild media through limiting enactments. This dense relationship has led to a lack of cooperation as journalists play the fault-finder (Cook 1998, 223). Journalists have been among those who have drummed support for impeachment of many politicians through exposing any actions that are not in support of public good. Politicians and journalists are therefore never in agreement and if at all they act a semblance of an agreement, the journalist poses a friend but acts as a spy (Schudson 2001, 153). The adversarial nature of journalism is due to its independence which sets it a side to play an oversight role on branches of government. To do this, it does not entangle in the affairs of the political class as this may make it be perceived as though journalists are compromised. IS THE INTERNET MAKING POLITICAL JOURNALISM OBSOLETE? In the current age most of all that concerns politicians and there whereabouts is posted on the internet. News is now followed by people online as they have less commitment to watch TV news broadcasts. However, political journalism is not just about the TVs or radio broadcasts. It deals with everything that is of political nature that is reported, deliberated or shared over any media. Electronic media, print and even internet content that presents political information, data and discussions makes up political journalism. Political journalism has also metamorphosed to take current technological advancements (Benson, Blach-orsten, Powers, Willig, Zambrano 2012, 25). News broadcasts are now streamed live on internet sites and conversations placed on social media for all to participate. Political journalism has therefore not been rendered obsolete by internet. Many political journalists are using all channels of sharing information. These include electronic, print and internet. Published political journalism is however loosing its dominant use as the world is adopting electronic sharing of information. This is what political journalism has changed to as well. Political journalists have turned to internet websites where they post analytical thoughts, interviews and initiate discussions. The most common social sites are Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. These sites have taken over as the favorite places for people and journalists to rein in on trending issues. Journalists have also turned to these social sites where they engage the public in conversations and collect the views of the public on matters that are of interest to them. Media houses have also opened websites where their political journalists post political content from interviews with politicians (Benson, Blach-orsten, Powers, Willig, Zambrano 2012, 29). They also post critical articles that analyze political involvements of politicians, criticize their moves and unearth any political sagas for public knowledge . This suggests that the internet is only serving as an alternative channel for political journalism. Internet is however watering down the significance of political journalism. This is because people who are informing about politics are coming from all quarters and are not media houses or personalities only as used to be the case. This is especially the case with social sites such as twitter which are the most popular places for in discussing political issues. Anything happening is posted by anybody and before media houses will follow up stories and compile news, information is already in circulation among the public. People are now less reliant on TVs or radios for news as they only log on to these sites and they will get all versions of a story (Dimitrova & Stromback 2012, 617). The political debates, hosting of political figures and investigative reports are now less of interest as people spend most of their time surfing. This means that if this continues to be the case political journalists are going to fade into oblivion as people rely on social networks on the internet and internet chats to get analysis, conversations and news on political issues. Bibliography Benson, R. (2010). What makes for a critical press? A case study of French and U.S. immigration news coverage. International Journal of Press/Politics 15(1): 3-24. Benson, R. (2009). What makes news more multiperspectival? A field analysis. Poetics 37(5-6): 402-418. Benson, R., Blach-Orsten, M., Powers, M., Willig, I., and Zambrano, S. V. (2012). Media systems online and off: Comparing the form of news in the United States, Denmark and France. Journal of Communication. 62(1): 21-38. Bennett, W. L. (2005). News – the politics of illusion. (6th ed). New York: Pearson Longman. Cook, T. E. (1998). Governing with the news. The news media as a political institution. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Dimitrova, D. V. and Strömbäck, J. (2012). Election news in Sweden and the United States: A comparative study of sources and media frames. Journalism 13(5): 604-619. Donsbach, W. (1995). Lapdogs, watchdogs and junkyard dogs. Media Studies Journal 9(Fall): 17-30. Franklin, B. and Murphy, D. (1998). Making the local news: Local journalism in context. London: Routledge. Hallin, D. C. (1984). The media, the war in Vietnam and political support: A critique of the thesis of an oppositional media. Journal of Politics 46(1): 2-24. Lengauer, G., Esser, F., and Berganza, R. (2012). Negativity in political news: A review of concepts, operationalizations and key findings. Journalism 12(2): 179-202. Mancini, P. (2007). Journalism in Italy.In: Anderson PJ and Ward G (eds) The future of journalism in advanced democracies. Aldershot, U.K.: Ashgate, pp. 229-242. Norris P (2011) Political communication. In: Caramani D (ed.) Comparative politics (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 353-370. Schudson M (2001) The objectivity norm in American journalism. Journalism 2(2): 149-170. Read More

The same was done when opposing the use of capital punishment. After the hanging of the last Australian Ronald Ryan, ‘The Age’ published more than eight editorials opposing the use of capital punishment ever again. Does Political Journalism illuminate or obscure the political process Political journalism has done one or both of illumination and obscuring in different circumstances. However, in the ideal case, political journalism is meant to illuminate the political process. Those who view it as obscuring alienate political journalism from the political process.

However, illumination of the political process admits that political journalism is a justifiable part of the political process. Political journalism is majorly informative and hence makes political activities to be in the knowledge of the public. It is with the people that politics is played and hence political journalism ensures that the public keeps an eye on political activities. Political journalism is viewed with fear since it exposes some political ill-motives that are swept under the carpet (Hallin 1984, 18).

The perception is then that political journalism is intrusive and bars free political activities. This is a position held by the remaining vestiges of the old authoritarian state when what happened within the purviews of politics of the state was no vocabulary in the mouths of the ordinary people. This is what has been responsible for some of the political ills in the form of violation of rights of minorities and exclusion of such sections as the aboriginals from full enjoyment of citizenship rights (Donbach 1995, 27).

Political journalists have been standing up to press for politics of inclusion where members from all the ethnicities of the Australian population are allowed space. Such journalists as Bruce Grant in the 1970s played a key role as investigative political reporters who helped streamline political practice. Political journalism reins in to ensure that people are kept in good knowledge about affairs that are of interest to them. This is healthy for both those in political leadership and the public.

The political journalist will inform the political leader of the grievances of the people. He will help the leader to understand the behavior of the electorate and his changing interests. This helps him ensure that he does all that is necessary to maintain himself in their favor. Similarly, the public is also made to keep an eye on the policies and programs of the political leader. Political journalism assesses the policies that politicians run for their benefit to the public (Hallin 1984, 19).

This is good as it ensures that what happens in politics is communicated to those who are to benefit or lose - public. The illumination on the political process is not meant to serve as a hurdle but to facilitate beneficial political practices. Political journalism only obscures the political process if it plays to the clandestine tunes of the political class. This is not what a free press and media does. A free media ensures that as much as is possible to be known about politics is put on the limelight.

Actions that do not support public good are put to the citizens to judge and this helps those facilitating them to ensure that what they do is in line with the interest of the people. The political process is only obscured if political process is not critically explosive (Franklin & Murphy 1998, 127). This is the case with nations where democratic practices of freedom of expression are not yet deeply anchored. Political journalism is the lenses through which political foul play, injustice and misappropriation is brought to the surface to facilitate a fair play in the political process.

It also ensures that any discriminatory tendencies are exposed so that the public can use it to judge the political leaders. DO JOURNALISTS SHAPE THE WAY THAT THE PUBLIC THINKS ABOUT POLITICS? Journalists usually do influence the manner in which the public understands issues in politics.

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