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Bandwagon Journalism

Bandwagon journalism is when journalists follow the actions and storylines of other journalists or broad trends in media coverage as a result of journalism habits, mores, and culture. The term often refers to political news coverage, although the topic of coverage can vary, and it is often meant as a pejorative. The term is not widely used today, though pack journalism is still heard and has a similar meaning. This entry discusses the background of the term, its application to journalism, and its evolving usage.

Background

The term takes its name from the late 19th-century bandwagon, a large wagon pulled by draft animals that was part of political processions, sometimes even carrying a band and political figures. The term also refers to circus bandwagons, which carried circus ...

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