Journalists and Politicians: a relationship requiring manoeuvring space

This study attempts to deepen our knowledge of the relationship between journalists and local politicians/officials. The study's primary conclusion is that there is a large degree of interplay between these groups, an observation that reinforces the findings of previous journalistic research. The findings are also in line with recent public relations research arguing that the journalist-politician relationship is governed by certain variables - particularly trust and mutual control - as well as recognising the importance of professional norms. Actors on both sides require manoeuvring space in which they can create and maintain a balance of power in the relationship. The interplay between the two groups results in four types of local journalism - documentation, promotional, watchdog and collaborative journalism.