What Makes a Good Political Reporter?

     In a year shrouded by politics and partisanship, political reporters have become a staple of many American living rooms. With thousands of political reporters and analysts around the world, what makes a good one?

    As a political reporter, journalists must remain true to the Society of Professional Journalists values as I mentioned in my post entitled, "What is News?" "Seek truth and report it. Minimize harm. Act independently. Be accountable and transparent."

    With CNN and Fox dominating the political networks, it is important to differentiate these biased sources from real news and real journalism.

    The best way I know to compare things is to use an example, so let's take a look. Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) has been accused of sexual misconduct by numerous aides and staffers. On Wednesday, March 3, Cuomo held his first press conference addressing the issue.

Headlines from CNN, Fox News, 
and the New York Times about
the same issue on March 3, 2021.

    After the press conference, I looked down at my phone and saw the three notifications pictured in the screenshot to the left.

    The CNN headline read, "NY Gov. Cuomo says he 'never touched anyone inappropriately' following sexual harassment allegations. He says he's not resigning."

    The Fox News headline read, "Gov. Andrew Cuomo just apologized after three women have accused him of misconduct -- but stopped short of doing this."

    Lastly, the New York Times headline read, "BREAKING NEWS Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York apologized in his first public appearance since harassment claims against him surfaced, but said he would not resign."

    The differences between these three headlines may not be detected by a non-journalist, but any communications worker can see the stark differences.

    While CNN minimizes the claims by not including how many women have accused the governor, they also quote a line that makes it sound like he did not do anything.

    However, none of the claims state that the Governor touched women, but rather interacted inappropriately. CNN using a quote that is irrelevant to the situation while making the Governor appear innocent.

    In the Fox News headline, curiosity will get clicks. By not saying what the Governor stopped short of doing, people will click and read the story. However, pertinent information lacks from the headline.

    The use of the word misconduct by Fox News implies that the Governor wrongfully touched someone, when in reality the claims all relate to inappropriate conversations. 

    Lastly, the New York Times headline is the least biased of all three. In this headline, all the facts are presented. The phrase "sexual harassment claims" shows that this is not a sexual assault allegation, while also acknowledging that the Governor is innocent until proven guilty.

    So this brings us back to the earlier question: what makes a good political reporter?

    A political reporter is someone who presents facts. Someone who does their research. Someone who listens to both sides and reports on both these sides.

    A political reporter is not someone who sneakily chooses their words. It is not someone who tricks viewers by presenting a one sided and biased report.

    As Americans, we not only deserve the truth, but must remain vigilant in out efforts to find the truth.