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The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard
Spring 2004

Stories About Campaign Coverage

In his essay “Only a Lunatic Would Do This Kind of Work,” David M. Shribman, executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, captures the essence of what motivates political journalists. “They have an ethos,” Shribman writes. “They believe in inquiry. They believe in the value of the pointed question. They believe in catching their prey in an unscripted moment or in a lie. They believe in asking impertinent questions of their social betters. They believe small deviations from a candidate’s basic stump speech have grave implications.” – Melissa Ludtke, Editor

Reporting From the Campaign Trail
Introduction
By Melissa Ludtke, Editor
‘Only a Lunatic Would Do This Kind of Work’
A journalist offers his perspective on the perspective of political journalists.
By David M. Shribman
The Political Journalists’ Canon
By David Shribman
With Deadlines Past, a Journalist Observes the Coverage (1 comment)
‘There are far too many campaign media people quoted in the copy for my taste.’
By Walter R. Mears
Tracking Generational Change in Political Reporting
Displacing news reporting with analysis provides ‘the possibility of a far different sort of bias than coziness with a candidate.’
By John Harwood
Shoe Leather Beats BlackBerries
Too much time is spent with candidates, not enough learning from voters.
By David Yepsen
Why Political Journalism Fails at Handicapping the Race
There is too much focus on campaign tactics, not enough on voters’ concerns.
By Terry Michael
For Whom Is Political Coverage Written?
In this new Web era, reporting on a hometown candidate means serving different audiences in print and on the Internet.
By John Wagner
Media Access to the Political Process Expands
From bloggers to videojournalists, the digital revolution is transforming how campaigns are covered.
By Steven Scully
Political Reporting Happens Faster. But Is It Better?
‘… too many of us are forced to react now and reflect later.’
By Michael Tackett
Making Reporting About Voting Part of the Political Beat
From punch cards to touchscreens, journalists are tracking potential problems with how people vote.
By Mark Seibel
The Allure of the Web
A rookie political reporter retreats from his early reliance on political Web sites and blogs.
By Adam Reilly
Network Web Sites Influence Political Reporting
By compiling coverage and adding original news and analysis, the networks acquire a new niche audience—including political journalists.
By Elizabeth Wilner
When Old Media Confronted Howard Dean
‘Dean scares the institutional media out of their wits … because of what he and Internet democracy say about them.’
By Chris Lydon
Going Online, Going Downtown
In two interview situations, a political writer observes differences in reporting.
By Wayne Woodlief
The Internet Beat on the Campaign Trail
‘Political journalists are using Web sites to tell stories they didn’t have room to tell in their newspapers.’
By James W. Pindell
‘Primarily New Hampshire’
An upcoming book looks behind the scenes of a presidential primary.
By Meryl Levin and Will Kanteres
Photographers Try to Avoid Staged Moments
‘Political operatives use increasingly sophisticated techniques to give candidates the most favorable media exposure possible.’
By Luis Rios
When Seeing Is No Longer Believing
Photographers and photo editors have the obligation of accuracy.
By Kenny Irby
Flapjacks and Photo Ops
Concord Monitor photographers worked hard to bring readers behind the scenes of New Hampshire’s primary campaign.
By Dan Habib
A Political Reporter’s Toolbox (1 comment)
The Committee of Concerned Journalists suggests campaign coverage strategies based on the advice of veteran political journalists.
By the Committee of Concerned Journalists
Words & Reflections: War and Terror
Introduction
By Melissa Ludtke, Editor
Iraq Reporting Becomes a Literary Portrayal of War
His editor said to him: ‘That’s your story. Man’s fascination with war.’
By John Koopman
‘Liberty in the Balance’
The Sacramento Bee investigated what’s happening to civil liberties instead of sending reporters to cover the war in Iraq.
By Rick Rodriguez
‘It Felt Like Slow-Motion Robbery’
By Juliet O’Neill
The Voice of Independent Journalism (1 comment)
‘Political cartoonists push the limits of free speech daily.’
By Doug Marlette
Visualizing the War on Terror
The book, ‘War,’ offers an impartial look at its realities.
By Michael Persson
Words & Reflections: Books
Murder Trials and Media Sensationalism
The press frenzy of a century ago echoes in the coverage of trials today.
By Steve Oney
Ken Auletta’s ‘Backstory’ Reveals Insights About the Business of News
What happens when the romance of journalism collides with the reality of business?
By Everette E. Dennis
Friendships, Feuds and Betrayal in the Newsroom
Arthur Gelb’s memoir reflects on The New York Times’s inner workings.
By Robert H. Phelps
The Idea of Educating Journalists
Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism travels a long, bumpy road to approach its founder’s vision.
By Jeffrey Scheuer
International Journalism: Images From China
Introduction
By Melissa Ludtke, Editor
‘Red-Color News Soldier’
By Li Zhensheng
A Visual and Visceral Connection to the Cultural Revolution (2 comments)
‘Morning Sun’ explores the psychological and emotional topography of Mao’s China.
By Carma Hinton
‘The Unbearable Heaviness of Industry’
‘In China, the road to full industrialization is gradually but surely unveiling itself.’
By Zhou Hai
Woman With a Movie Camera (1 comment)
Ning Ying’s cinematic visions document a rapidly changing China.
By Zhang Zhen
Curator's Corner
Thinking About Storytelling and Narrative Journalism
At a seminar with Robert Coles, the topic is stories and how they are best told.
By Bob Giles
Nieman Notes
Elements of a Free Press in Indonesia
By Bill Kovach
Reflecting the Floating City
The magic of networking offers pathways to the real Venice.
By Frank Van Riper