How to Watch Political News

State and national elections offer lots of opportunity to see the candidates duke it out over the issues from the comfort of your easy chair. Every 4 years, the pundits take to the air to bring us coverage, commentary and exit polls in an effort to inform us about the upcoming election. Every newscaster has a personal opinion and the management of each news organization and every broadcast station has political leanings as well. It's good to keep in mind a few simple rules about watching political news on television or online.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Try to watch as many debates as possible. These discussions or question and answer sessions with the candidates can give you a good idea of who the people are and what they consider important. Try to watch these programs in their entirety and with different moderators during the campaign.

2. Political humor is great but most of us don't know enough to "get it". The result is that political "infotainment" too often relies on cynicism and stereotype for its punchlines. Learn about the issues and candidates before relying on those (frequently dead-on funny) cable commentators.

3. Remember that television and internet news organizations are dependent on ratings to get advertisers who pay for the talent and equipment necessary to broadcast or webcast. The type of advertising on a program or website can tell you a lot about the audience it plays to. If you're watching a news program or reading a political blog with ads that appeal to teeny-boppers or video-gamers, it's time to find some programming for grownups.

4. Try to get your news from a variety of sources, not just that one cable channel who has the guy you agree with. When you watch a variety of programs, you'll get a much more balanced picture. Concentrate on established news organizations and pay attention to fringe groups--they frequently define the limits of political thought and give you a more accurate read on where a candidate stands than stereotype liberal and conservative groups.

5. The weekend panel and interview programs are always interesting. Many are re-broadcast at night and throughout the week. Most attempt to present a balance of ideas and are more worthwhile than comedy news.

6. If you're using the web, check out the candidate's website before you read what his opponent says about him. Primary sources (the person who said it) always state positions more accurately than secondary sources (what others say about the candidate).

Tips & Warnings

• Do not become a "political junkie," watching every moment of news, recording every weekend program and rerunning debates. If you're that interested, go out and volunteer for a campaign and be part of the adventure instead of just an onlooker.
• You can listen to National Public Radio's excellent political coverage online at www.npr.org. Go to the Politics page. Features include archived interviews.
• Twenty-four hour cable news has vastly increased our ability to get news as it happens but it has also created a group of news anchors who have to fill air time. Be careful to avoid assigning their over-thought, over-worked presentations more importance than they deserve.
• "Blockbuster" revelations--indescretions in speech or action--are frequently found by opponents immediately following (surprise!) a mistake made by their own campaign. Always be skeptical and determine 1) the proximity of the revelation to a gaff on the revealer's part and 2) the actual context of the revelation (how long ago, was the candidate actually part of it and so on...) and 3) whether it has anything to do with the issues or is just personal bickering.
• It's easy to get into arguments with people over politics. Never engage in one unless you are confident that you and your friend can argue politics without affecting your relationship.

Resources

• Political fact checker
• Washington Post fact checker