Title: Avoiding Media Bias When Covering Political News
Headings: Avoiding Media Bias When Covering Political News
Avoiding Media Bias When Covering Political News
Expect to Be Accused of Media Bias
Check Your Stories for Accuracy
Determine Whether Your Story is Fair to All Candidates
Defend Yourself Against Claims of Media Bias

Content: Expect to Be Accused of Media Bias
Any reporting on a political campaign will include good and bad news. If you are assigned to cover a candidate, there will be a day when they stumble -- making a verbal gaffe, misstating a fact, or sometimes literally stumbling as they trip over a broken sidewalk. Reporting facts doesn't equal media bias, though overly-aggressive campaign workers might try to con voters into thinking that. Check Your Stories for Accuracy
Some reporters who don't have media bias are guilty of lazy reporting, which can appear to be the result of political leanings. Make sure all political stories are accurate because campaign workers will be happy to rip your reports to shreds if it benefits their candidate. Any reporter knows whether their story will please or perturb a campaign. If you suspect that there will be fallout to a story that's about to be published, comb over the facts for accuracy to protect yourself and your media company. Decide if you are completely confident in the information you are presenting. If your source is a news release from an opponent's campaign, verify the facts independently or at least make it clear that it's the opponent who is making an accusation, not you. Sloppy attribution can get you into trouble.