Broadcasting the Snap Election: Surprising Politics but Familiar Production

Abstract

The snap election was unusual because it meant broadcasters were unable to undertake considerable planning for this campaign. Drawing from personal experience of both, the chapter notes the contrasting approaches of the two dominant Conservatives and Labour figures to journalists. Whereas Theresa May tended to be remote and made carefully controlled appearances, Jeremy Corbyn seemed to be more accessible and expansive in the various open public meetings he attended. The chapter acknowledges the impact of other factors on the campaign, not least the terrorist atrocities, as well as the decision by Ofcom to relax some of the rules previously governing the reporting of elections; this move afforded journalists some greater degree of editorial freedom in deciding which parties to cover in a given locality.