🧵 8/8
Research team: @stephencushion.bsky.social, @mattwalshjourno.bsky.social, @maxwellmodell.bsky.social & myself.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting #Senedd #Holyrood #localelections
Research team: @stephencushion.bsky.social, @mattwalshjourno.bsky.social, @maxwellmodell.bsky.social & myself.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting #Senedd #Holyrood #localelections
May 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
🧵 7/8
Overall, the findings point to a central tension in modern election reporting: how to balance fair representation of multiple parties with the need for meaningful scrutiny & clear, policy-focused journalism.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
Overall, the findings point to a central tension in modern election reporting: how to balance fair representation of multiple parties with the need for meaningful scrutiny & clear, policy-focused journalism.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
May 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
🧵 7/8
Overall, the findings point to a central tension in modern election reporting: how to balance fair representation of multiple parties with the need for meaningful scrutiny & clear, policy-focused journalism.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
Overall, the findings point to a central tension in modern election reporting: how to balance fair representation of multiple parties with the need for meaningful scrutiny & clear, policy-focused journalism.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
🧵 6/8
At the same time, the report highlights some encouraging developments. Broadcasters used digital formats creatively to make the election more accessible & to address gaps in public understanding.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
At the same time, the report highlights some encouraging developments. Broadcasters used digital formats creatively to make the election more accessible & to address gaps in public understanding.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
May 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
🧵 6/8
At the same time, the report highlights some encouraging developments. Broadcasters used digital formats creatively to make the election more accessible & to address gaps in public understanding.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
At the same time, the report highlights some encouraging developments. Broadcasters used digital formats creatively to make the election more accessible & to address gaps in public understanding.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
🧵 5/8
👩🏻⚕️ Health & social care dominated policy coverage, while issues like independence often framed reporting in Scotland and Wales.
📹 Vox pops were highly prominent, capturing public mood but offering limited depth or explanation.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject
👩🏻⚕️ Health & social care dominated policy coverage, while issues like independence often framed reporting in Scotland and Wales.
📹 Vox pops were highly prominent, capturing public mood but offering limited depth or explanation.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject
May 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
🧵 5/8
👩🏻⚕️ Health & social care dominated policy coverage, while issues like independence often framed reporting in Scotland and Wales.
📹 Vox pops were highly prominent, capturing public mood but offering limited depth or explanation.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject
👩🏻⚕️ Health & social care dominated policy coverage, while issues like independence often framed reporting in Scotland and Wales.
📹 Vox pops were highly prominent, capturing public mood but offering limited depth or explanation.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject
🧵 4/8
🗳️ Campaign coverage frequently prioritised polls, momentum & “horse race” narratives over policy detail.
📱 A large share of digital content (over 40%) contained no substantive policy discussion.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
🗳️ Campaign coverage frequently prioritised polls, momentum & “horse race” narratives over policy detail.
📱 A large share of digital content (over 40%) contained no substantive policy discussion.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
May 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
🧵 4/8
🗳️ Campaign coverage frequently prioritised polls, momentum & “horse race” narratives over policy detail.
📱 A large share of digital content (over 40%) contained no substantive policy discussion.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
🗳️ Campaign coverage frequently prioritised polls, momentum & “horse race” narratives over policy detail.
📱 A large share of digital content (over 40%) contained no substantive policy discussion.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
🧵 3/8
📺 Broadcasters broadly achieved balance across major parties, but this often came at the expense of sustained scrutiny.
🎤 Over 70% of political claims received little or no scrutiny in day-to-day coverage.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
📺 Broadcasters broadly achieved balance across major parties, but this often came at the expense of sustained scrutiny.
🎤 Over 70% of political claims received little or no scrutiny in day-to-day coverage.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
May 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
🧵 3/8
📺 Broadcasters broadly achieved balance across major parties, but this often came at the expense of sustained scrutiny.
🎤 Over 70% of political claims received little or no scrutiny in day-to-day coverage.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
📺 Broadcasters broadly achieved balance across major parties, but this often came at the expense of sustained scrutiny.
🎤 Over 70% of political claims received little or no scrutiny in day-to-day coverage.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
🧵 2/8
A few key takeaways:
🇬🇧 UK-wide TV news gave limited attention to the elections, often treating them as second-order contests.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting #Senedd #Holyrood #localelections
A few key takeaways:
🇬🇧 UK-wide TV news gave limited attention to the elections, often treating them as second-order contests.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting #Senedd #Holyrood #localelections
May 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
🧵 2/8
A few key takeaways:
🇬🇧 UK-wide TV news gave limited attention to the elections, often treating them as second-order contests.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting #Senedd #Holyrood #localelections
A few key takeaways:
🇬🇧 UK-wide TV news gave limited attention to the elections, often treating them as second-order contests.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting #Senedd #Holyrood #localelections
🧵 1/8
Bringing together detailed analysis of TV news, online coverage & social media, the report explores how broadcasters balanced impartiality, visibility & scrutiny during a complex, multi-election campaign.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
Bringing together detailed analysis of TV news, online coverage & social media, the report explores how broadcasters balanced impartiality, visibility & scrutiny during a complex, multi-election campaign.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
May 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
🧵 1/8
Bringing together detailed analysis of TV news, online coverage & social media, the report explores how broadcasters balanced impartiality, visibility & scrutiny during a complex, multi-election campaign.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
Bringing together detailed analysis of TV news, online coverage & social media, the report explores how broadcasters balanced impartiality, visibility & scrutiny during a complex, multi-election campaign.
#journalism #journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject #mediareporting
We’re pleased to share a new report from the Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project, examining UK- & Wales-based media coverage of the 2026 Senedd, Holyrood & English local elections.
🔗 canva.link/reporting-uk...
🧵👇
#journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject
🔗 canva.link/reporting-uk...
🧵👇
#journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject
May 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
We’re pleased to share a new report from the Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project, examining UK- & Wales-based media coverage of the 2026 Senedd, Holyrood & English local elections.
🔗 canva.link/reporting-uk...
🧵👇
#journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject
🔗 canva.link/reporting-uk...
🧵👇
#journalismstudies #impartiality #impartialityproject
🧵 6/6
This article is part of our ongoing work in the Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social.
There’s much more detail in our blog: www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/polls-p...
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #seneddelection
This article is part of our ongoing work in the Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social.
There’s much more detail in our blog: www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/polls-p...
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #seneddelection
When election coverage becomes a horse race: polls, projections and the Senedd campaign — Researching the impartiality of political news
Even before the votes had been counted, the Senedd election was already being told as a story about two parties: Plaid Cymru and Reform UK. In the days after the election, that framing came under scru...
www.enhancingimpartiality.com
May 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
🧵 6/6
This article is part of our ongoing work in the Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social.
There’s much more detail in our blog: www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/polls-p...
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #seneddelection
This article is part of our ongoing work in the Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social.
There’s much more detail in our blog: www.enhancingimpartiality.com/blog/polls-p...
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #seneddelection
🧵 5/6
While broadcasters were reflecting real polling trends, this emphasis risked narrowing attention on other parties & side-lining policy debate.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
While broadcasters were reflecting real polling trends, this emphasis risked narrowing attention on other parties & side-lining policy debate.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
May 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
🧵 5/6
While broadcasters were reflecting real polling trends, this emphasis risked narrowing attention on other parties & side-lining policy debate.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
While broadcasters were reflecting real polling trends, this emphasis risked narrowing attention on other parties & side-lining policy debate.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
🧵 4/6
In a proportional system, elections are not winner-takes-all, yet reporting often leaned into the language of a head-to-head contest.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
In a proportional system, elections are not winner-takes-all, yet reporting often leaned into the language of a head-to-head contest.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
May 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
🧵 4/6
In a proportional system, elections are not winner-takes-all, yet reporting often leaned into the language of a head-to-head contest.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
In a proportional system, elections are not winner-takes-all, yet reporting often leaned into the language of a head-to-head contest.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
🧵 3/6
This matters because public understanding of the new electoral system remained limited.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
This matters because public understanding of the new electoral system remained limited.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
May 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
🧵 3/6
This matters because public understanding of the new electoral system remained limited.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
This matters because public understanding of the new electoral system remained limited.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
🧵 2/6
Drawing on our analysis of TV, online & social media coverage across the campaign, we found:
• Over 1/4 of TV news items featured opinion polls.
• In the final week, nearly half of TV coverage referenced polling.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
Drawing on our analysis of TV, online & social media coverage across the campaign, we found:
• Over 1/4 of TV news items featured opinion polls.
• In the final week, nearly half of TV coverage referenced polling.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
May 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
🧵 2/6
Drawing on our analysis of TV, online & social media coverage across the campaign, we found:
• Over 1/4 of TV news items featured opinion polls.
• In the final week, nearly half of TV coverage referenced polling.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
Drawing on our analysis of TV, online & social media coverage across the campaign, we found:
• Over 1/4 of TV news items featured opinion polls.
• In the final week, nearly half of TV coverage referenced polling.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
🧵 1/6
As polls & seat projections became more prominent, coverage increasingly focused on momentum, winners and losers, reinforcing a binary framing of the election.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
As polls & seat projections became more prominent, coverage increasingly focused on momentum, winners and losers, reinforcing a binary framing of the election.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
May 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
🧵 1/6
As polls & seat projections became more prominent, coverage increasingly focused on momentum, winners and losers, reinforcing a binary framing of the election.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
As polls & seat projections became more prominent, coverage increasingly focused on momentum, winners and losers, reinforcing a binary framing of the election.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalism #journalismstudies #senedd #seneddelection
In a new article @stephencushion.bsky.social, @maxwellmodell.bsky.social & myself examine how polling and campaign messaging interacted to frame the contest as a battle between Plaid Cymru & Reform UK.
🔗 tinyurl.com/3f2sy2sv
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #seneddelection
🔗 tinyurl.com/3f2sy2sv
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #seneddelection
A new voting system meant the Welsh election couldn’t have been further from a two-horse race - so why was it portrayed as one?
Polls and projections increasingly framed the Senedd election as a contest between two parties.
theconversation.com
May 14, 2026 at 3:35 PM
In a new article @stephencushion.bsky.social, @maxwellmodell.bsky.social & myself examine how polling and campaign messaging interacted to frame the contest as a battle between Plaid Cymru & Reform UK.
🔗 tinyurl.com/3f2sy2sv
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #seneddelection
🔗 tinyurl.com/3f2sy2sv
#impartiality #impartialityproject #journalismstudies #seneddelection
🧵 8/8
We’ll be sharing regular updates and insights throughout the campaign.
You can find out more here: www.enhancingimpartiality.com
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
We’ll be sharing regular updates and insights throughout the campaign.
You can find out more here: www.enhancingimpartiality.com
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
April 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM
🧵 8/8
We’ll be sharing regular updates and insights throughout the campaign.
You can find out more here: www.enhancingimpartiality.com
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
We’ll be sharing regular updates and insights throughout the campaign.
You can find out more here: www.enhancingimpartiality.com
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
🧵 7/8
At a time when electoral competition is intensifying & public understanding of devolved politics remains uneven, the role of news media in informing, rather than confusing, audiences has never been more important.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
At a time when electoral competition is intensifying & public understanding of devolved politics remains uneven, the role of news media in informing, rather than confusing, audiences has never been more important.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
April 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM
🧵 7/8
At a time when electoral competition is intensifying & public understanding of devolved politics remains uneven, the role of news media in informing, rather than confusing, audiences has never been more important.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
At a time when electoral competition is intensifying & public understanding of devolved politics remains uneven, the role of news media in informing, rather than confusing, audiences has never been more important.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
🧵 6/8
• How much scrutiny is applied to party claims & policy proposals?
• & crucially, how well does coverage help audiences understand the Welsh political system & its devolved powers?
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
• How much scrutiny is applied to party claims & policy proposals?
• & crucially, how well does coverage help audiences understand the Welsh political system & its devolved powers?
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
April 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM
🧵 6/8
• How much scrutiny is applied to party claims & policy proposals?
• & crucially, how well does coverage help audiences understand the Welsh political system & its devolved powers?
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
• How much scrutiny is applied to party claims & policy proposals?
• & crucially, how well does coverage help audiences understand the Welsh political system & its devolved powers?
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
🧵 5/8
In particular, we’ll be asking:
• How do broadcasters allocate attention across an increasingly crowded party landscape?
• Whose voices and leaders are most visible?
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
In particular, we’ll be asking:
• How do broadcasters allocate attention across an increasingly crowded party landscape?
• Whose voices and leaders are most visible?
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
April 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM
🧵 5/8
In particular, we’ll be asking:
• How do broadcasters allocate attention across an increasingly crowded party landscape?
• Whose voices and leaders are most visible?
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
In particular, we’ll be asking:
• How do broadcasters allocate attention across an increasingly crowded party landscape?
• Whose voices and leaders are most visible?
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
🧵 3/8
This is something we’ll be examining closely through the Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
This is something we’ll be examining closely through the Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
April 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM
🧵 3/8
This is something we’ll be examining closely through the Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
This is something we’ll be examining closely through the Enhancing the Impartiality of Political News project at @cujournmedcul.bsky.social.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
🧵 2/8
What emerges is a picture of a highly fluid & contested electoral environment — one that is not only politically significant, but also raises important questions about how these developments will be communicated to the public.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection
What emerges is a picture of a highly fluid & contested electoral environment — one that is not only politically significant, but also raises important questions about how these developments will be communicated to the public.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection
April 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM
🧵 2/8
What emerges is a picture of a highly fluid & contested electoral environment — one that is not only politically significant, but also raises important questions about how these developments will be communicated to the public.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection
What emerges is a picture of a highly fluid & contested electoral environment — one that is not only politically significant, but also raises important questions about how these developments will be communicated to the public.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection
🧵 1/8
Bringing together expert perspectives, it highlights several trends to watch: the continued rise of Reform UK; the growing fragmentation of the vote; & the impact of electoral reform in Wales.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
Bringing together expert perspectives, it highlights several trends to watch: the continued rise of Reform UK; the growing fragmentation of the vote; & the impact of electoral reform in Wales.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
April 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM
🧵 1/8
Bringing together expert perspectives, it highlights several trends to watch: the continued rise of Reform UK; the growing fragmentation of the vote; & the impact of electoral reform in Wales.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
Bringing together expert perspectives, it highlights several trends to watch: the continued rise of Reform UK; the growing fragmentation of the vote; & the impact of electoral reform in Wales.
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
With voters heading to the polls across England, Scotland & Wales on 7 May, this article offers a timely overview of the key dynamics likely to shape the UK’s political landscape.
🔗 tinyurl.com/4fxbe38h
🧵👇
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/4fxbe38h
🧵👇
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
May elections: what five politics experts are looking out for
Five experts tell us what they will be keeping their eye on during the May elections in England, Scotland and Wales.
tinyurl.com
April 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM
With voters heading to the polls across England, Scotland & Wales on 7 May, this article offers a timely overview of the key dynamics likely to shape the UK’s political landscape.
🔗 tinyurl.com/4fxbe38h
🧵👇
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/4fxbe38h
🧵👇
#impartiality #impartialityproject #Senedd #Seneddelection #elections2026
🧵 7/7
If broadcasters fear legal or political repercussions, they may restrict political discussion voluntarily, producing a chilling effect without any formal censorship.
#impartialityproject #impartiality #mediaregulation #politicalcommunication
If broadcasters fear legal or political repercussions, they may restrict political discussion voluntarily, producing a chilling effect without any formal censorship.
#impartialityproject #impartiality #mediaregulation #politicalcommunication
February 24, 2026 at 11:59 AM
🧵 7/7
If broadcasters fear legal or political repercussions, they may restrict political discussion voluntarily, producing a chilling effect without any formal censorship.
#impartialityproject #impartiality #mediaregulation #politicalcommunication
If broadcasters fear legal or political repercussions, they may restrict political discussion voluntarily, producing a chilling effect without any formal censorship.
#impartialityproject #impartiality #mediaregulation #politicalcommunication