Political news is the reporting and analysis of government and politics on a local, state or national level. It includes coverage of elections, political campaigns, politicians, and political parties. It also covers issues and the way that they affect people.
There are many different forms of political journalism, ranging from Hunter S. Thompson’s “gonzo journalism” style of following political candidates on the campaign trail, to Barbara Walters hard hitting interviews with politicians. Despite the current downturn in the industry, there are still plenty of journalists who dedicate their lives to this area of the field.
The field of political journalism can be broad and diverse, with specific subgenres that cover the environment, health care, law enforcement, education, transportation, and the economy among others. Environmentally-focused political journalism covers topics that impact the environment and natural resources, such as pollution, habitat loss, climate change, water scarcity, and global warming. This subgenre examines the economic and social impacts of these issues, as well as how they relate to the political process.
Another form of political news is civic journalism, which focuses on the role that journalism can play in the democratic process and the role that citizens can play in their democracy. This is an emerging philosophy that has gained popularity in recent years. It advocates for the importance of accurate, fact-checked information in order to empower voters and allow them to make informed choices. Proponents of this philosophy believe that integrating journalism into the political process can help revitalize our democracy as we know it.
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