Page 103 - An Introduction to Political Communication Third Edition

POLITICS IN THE AGE OF MEDIATION

Features straddle the line in political journalism between the hard
news, which is the staple of a newspaper, and the column, where its
‘priestly pundits’ wax eloquent (or indignant) about the events of
the day. The best feature writers function as pundits and reporters,
combining the research skills of good journalism with the analytical
and intellectual prowess of the top pundits.

THE BARDS

Rather different in their function are what Nimmo and Combs call
the ‘bards’ of political journalism (as distinct from the ‘priests’). The
bardic journalist or pundit plays the role of ‘a court jester, that
ruling elites can tolerate’ (1992, p. 67). The bard employs humour,
satire and irony to comment on political affairs, although
frequently with serious intent. Political cartoonists attempt to make
their readers laugh while highlighting important political issues.
Andrew Rawnsley, formerly of the Guardian, made his reputation
as a wickedly funny diarist of the House of Commons’ daily
business, giving the routine grind of debate a gently subversive
satirical twist. The magazine Private Eye may also be regarded as
‘bardic’, in its constant investigative exposure and parodying of the
absurdities and injustices of British political life.
Magazines such as Private Eye, and the more conventionally
journalistic New Statesman, are examples of a press which exists for
the purpose of reporting and reflecting on politics from what we can
call a ‘dissenting’, anti-establishment perspective. These periodicals
(there are no British newspapers of this type, unless one counts the
Morning Star) are often engaged in extremely tough critiques of
aspects of the system, as witnessed by the number of banning orders
taken out against them over the years. They are, in a very real sense,
‘watchdogs’ over the political establishment.

BROADCASTING

Several of the forms of political journalism deployed by the press
are also used in broadcasting, which has also produced its own class
of pundits. Paralleling the bardic role of Private Eye on television
was the now-defunct Spitting Image, a puppet show which satirised
current political figures in rather unforgiving terms. One should
also include in this category output which, although clearly not to

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