ElectionsMedia and the Government

Elections

“The [iPad] app will let viewers explore “what if” scenarios for House and Senate races using an interactive, touch-screen map.” -2011 Christian Science Monitor article.

Read some posts in this blog here. The New York Times was one of many news organizations to live blog the 2010 elections.

The media have grown increasingly more involved in reporting election to the masses. In days past radio, television and print news were key. Now, with the internet, live-blogging and multimedia such as a results map is common. Users can access from TV computer of even their phone or tablet.

A map showing 2010 election results for the senate (Reuters)

Elections: Polls“For many media organizations, election night is a time to show off technology. In part, the new electronic toys can bring some level of

excitement to an election where there may be surprises in individual contests, but the overall outcome is more certain.” – Christian

Science Monitor

Polls are questions and surveys asked to random people by an organization. Polls are used as a test of public opinion. Polls show opinion of the economy, presidential approval, and candidate favorability.

This graph shows change in public opinion of 2012 Republican presidential candidate over time. (TPM, see full story here)

The CBS/New York Times poll started regular news surveys in 1975. NBC's first partner was the Associated Press, and it began polling in 1978. The ABC/Washington Post poll was launched in 1981.

Polls

Pew Research Center, a research group that studies journalism, concluded in a study of public opinion polls four things. The first two are:

1. The public plays a passive, not active role in shaping public policy. The polls show assent or opposition to policies that the media know or suspect are on the agenda of national leaders. Polls can be a good way of gauging opinion on different legislation, such as health care.

2. Second, polling has influenced the techniques and strategies of leadership, rather than hamstrung leaders. Public opinion is something politicians cannot avoid. They must use polls to their advantage, or risk being used by them. In election season, polls taken of potential candidates can sway from one potential candidate to the next. And though President Bush Sr. had the highest polled favor of any president in polling history in March 1991, yet he lost the re-election 18 months later.

Polls

3. Although the prominence of polls gives greater voice to the people, other competing voices can still trump public opinion or, at a minimum, tone down the impact of what the polls are showing. For example, public opposition to legislation is often blunted by effective lobbying by business interests or other more powerful entities.

4. The great empowerment of public opinion raises questions about the potential for manipulation. The American public is noted for the limited attention it pays to public affairs. Perhaps the best way to think about public opinion and its relationship to politics and policymaking is that the American public is typically short on facts, but often long on judgment.

Pew Research conclusions

Example of a poll. This poll questioned on who a person would vote for for the 2012 presidential elections. The number of people questioned was 1,756.

Through media polls, public opinion has become an omnipresent factor in national affairs.

Elections: Presentation

Some tips Poytner, a journalism research center, some things media need in election coverage. Among them are these two:

1. Decide what information to gather. maps, interactives, charts and photos. Previous election results, voter registration information and campaign finance data for example.

2. Get fresh material for race pages. Many news organizations create pages dedicated to following election information. This includes multimedia such as photos and videos about the election, and other information.

New York Times’ elections page. Notice interactive pictures that link to pages on the candidates.

Elections: Coverage

News organizations will write everything and anything concerning the political movements of candidates in elections. But non-political events can also be relevant. Consider, for example, mistakes made in interviews and debates. Rick Perry had a famous “oops” moment in a debate that was talked about for days following, and even considered the end of Perry’s campaign. Likewise, Herman Cain’s nearly minute long confusion in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal.Likewise, commentary about a candidates personal life is often in many news pages. Read this article about Newt Gingrich’s past wives and public speculation.

Graphic showing news coverage of 2012 presidential elections.

Elections: Coverage

Presidential debates are held on television, and sometimes even sponsored by news organizations.

This map tracks the movements of candidates across the country. It includes information about why a candidate is where they are.

Perry’s famous “oops” moment was seen by many as a turning point in the candidate’s campaign, which had previously had favorable poll results.