Reporting US Politics

With a particular focus on the United States, this book offers a practical guide to writing and delivering sound political TV news coverage. Beginning with a historical overview of political reporting, and contextualizing political journalism and local TV news within wider industry issues, this book goes on to offer an essential understanding of the complex decision-making inherent in this critical form of journalism today. In accessible and engaging language, Calfano introduces students to all the basics of local political TV reporting--writing, shooting, editing, and producing--touching on long-form interviewing, political "talkbacks," election coverage, using data, and investigative journalism as a means of uncovering political stories. Readers will learn about working the political beats, from the City Hall to the Statehouse and from policy to budgets, in a way which is both compelling and ethical. A chapter on local, state, and federal government acts as a quick reference primer to the US political landscape. Each chapter includes a series of reflection exercises and ideas for exploring political coverage from the perspectives introduced, and case studies help readers translate what they've learned into real-world practice. This book also features a list of quick hacks for political reporters and a political resource list which TV news reporters and producers can go to for sources and government information. This textbook is essential reading for anyone aspiring to become a reporter, producer, or news manager in the United States and will also be of great value to students of Political Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, and Local TV News worldwide.