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The 2016 United States presidential election is unlike past elections. Many Americans feel strongly that the candidates on each side are unfit to be president. This controversial election season has left the media to make difficult ethical decisions about how they represent the candidates to the public. In this story, leaders of major news outlets explain their philosophies on what news to report, and whether or not it is OK to favor one candidate over the other in journalism.
Story Length: 9:54
© 2016 National Public Radio, Inc. Used with the permission of NPR. All rights reserved.
AIR DATE: 07/31/2016
March 7, 2016
3:59
Voter anger is the news story of this Presidential election. It’s fueling support for candidates such as Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Anger at the government has been present for years, as seen in the Occupy Wall Street and Tea Party movements. There is a strong anti-establishment sentiment, especially among Republicans, about the way things are going and many voters want a change. Listen to these political reporters as they reflect on the current voter sentiment.
Read MoreMarch 1, 2016
3:52
Super Tuesday, the day when 12 states hold their presidential primaries, is today. Texas has a big race, with the possible prize of 155 delegates. One of the Republican candidates, Texas Senator Ted Cruz is hoping to win his home state. While Cruz has many supporters, some are having a hard time trusting him. His main rival, billionaire Donald Trump, is surging in popularity, even in Cruz’s home state. Listen to hear more about the Republican primary race in Texas.
Read MoreFebruary 9, 2016
7:51
Today voters go to the polls in the New Hampshire primary. Both parties have hotly contested primary races that are expected to continue through the spring. The Republican Party is having difficulty defining what it means to be a Republican, but the Democratic Party is also struggling to shape the future of its party. Candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have very different visions of what the Democratic Party can do for the country. Listen to a variety of opinions from voters and discuss the differences between these candidates.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2016
5:27
The first votes in the 2016 presidential election will take place today in the Iowa caucus. As this important election event and other primaries approach, voters and candidates are expressing powerful emotions about the state of the country. Democrats are upset about the economic divide between the rich and poor, while Republicans fault President Obama’s policies on immigration and healthcare. Meanwhile, many voters feel anxious about terrorism and personal finances. Listen to this story to hear the feelings that are defining this election.
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