The Challenge of Covering Presidential Elections

A panel of experienced journalists from different types of media offered "dos" and "don'ts" for covering presidential elections to an audience of European correspondents, journalism students and others. The panel was moderated by Reginald Dale, Director of the CSIS Transatlantic Media Network.

The panel included: 

• Gerard Baker, U.S. Editor of the Times of London
• Ross Douthat, Senior Editor of the Atlantic Monthly and blogger for TheAtlantic.com
• Albert May, Former Editor, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Frank Sesno, CNN Correspondent and GWU Professor
• Abbi Tatton, CNN Internet Reporter
• Karen Tumulty, National Political Correspondent, Time Magazine

Useful links discussed by the panel:

• Factcheck.org monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by major US political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases.
• 'The Buzz Aboard the Bus: Pinched, Press Steps Off' published by the NYTimes on March 26, 2008, discusses the changing trends in media coverage of the 2008 Presidential elections.