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@ Brookings Podcast: The Changing Balance of Power in Presidential Campaign Reporting

Video Podcast “@ Brookings”

Video Podcast “@ Brookings”

A radio reporter speaks into a microphone during a demonstration

The increasing diversification of news media—from online versions of major newspapers to political bloggers, to 24-hour cable news to social media—plus the profession’s changing economics have caused the balance of power between political reporters and presidential candidates to change. Stephen Hess, senior fellow emeritus, says our very good, well-trained reporters are “almost dangerous” to presidential candidates who are trying to stay on message. Thus, says Hess, the way the press covers campaigns has changed as well, and not for the better.