Election Coverage, U.S.

Journalism in the United States is frequently discussed in terms of its relationship with democracy. This presumes a particular role for the press in the democratic process, principally the idea (or ideal) that journalism helps citizens navigate their way through a complex world and gives them the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box. This democratic role, then, finds its most literal expression in an election, where journalists are called to cover the democratic process in action. This entry discusses the expectations the public has of journalists regarding election coverage (i.e., what journalists ought to do) and some of the problems that have been identified in that coverage (i.e., what journalists do). It also looks at possible explanations for why there ...