Press and Campaigns
Reflections on the movie How do campaign reporters experience the campaign? How does that affect their coverage? What can the campaign do to influence news coverage? What information does the resulting coverage convey to the public? How are the internet and the partisan media environment changing this ten-year old picture?
What do journalists and editors want? Increase readership/viewership/hits Drama, conflict, the horserace Be well thought of by peers Herd journalism Win awards Focus on scandal Beat other organizations to the story Maintain good relationships with sources Personal/political agenda
How does the candidate try to control the press? Pick issues to emphasize & stay on message Hire personnel to “feed and care for” the press Keep a thirty second story and sound bites in mind Train reporters with carrots and sticks Go to local reporters instead