As we hurtle towards election day in the US, British broadcasters are once putting huge amounts of resources into what will likely be days of covering counts, declarations and conspiracy theories.
The BBC’s coverage will come, from Washington DC, anchored by US Chief Presenters Caitríona Perry and Sumi Somaskanda. They are going to be joined by a number of other correspondents. Furthermore, Clive Myrie will be deployed to present “News at 10” from outside the White House. Over on Sky News, Chief presenter Mark Austin and world news presenter Yalda Hakim will lead the coverage from Washington.
Channel 4 is collaborating with CNN. In addition, it is doing things somewhat differently, as it is prone to do. Viewers will be treated to appearances from Succession star Brian Cox, pornstar Stormy Daniels and Boris Johnson. Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Emily Maitlis will be anchoring from the US capital. It will be the first time the broadcaster has done overnight coverage of a Presidential Election in over three decades. They don’t want to miss out on the Trump Show.
Watching the candidates’ approach to the media has been fascinating. Donald Trump is Donald Trump – and it seems outlets still have not come to terms with how to cover him and push back on his stream of lies. Kamala Harris has gone on something of a media blitz after being criticised for not doing enough interviews. Podcasts with big audiences, and niche audiences, have proved popular to both.
US Election is the Only Story
There is sometimes criticism inside the UK that our media is too obsessed with the US and spends too much time covering the country’s politics. Plenty of times the complaint is a valid one. West Wing Syndrome is widespread in Westminster and beyond. However, it is hard to believe that there is currently a bigger story in the world than who will take the White House and how. American media may not pay all that much attention to British politics most of the time, but we have little choice but to care about theirs.
A former Chief of Staff to Donald Trump, who just so happens to be a Four-Star Marine Corps General, is accusing his former boss of being a fascist and having a soft spot for Hitler. Wars requiring serious US leadership are erupting all around the world. Global media has a duty to reflect that.
British outlets should better report on what is going on in France, Germany and other major European economies. Likewise India and China. However, for the next two weeks, it does feel like there is really only one story.
Buckle up.
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