F or a reporter, it is always exciting and challenging to cover elections. There is plenty of ground to traverse, people to talk to, clues to pick up on, issues to report, and interviews to conduct. Reporting also involves observations and listening — for instance, to chatter in various places, such as tea stalls and village kattas (where people gather for conversions) — to gauge the mood. Before the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections , I heard diverse voices and issues across constituencies. Farmers spoke about crop losses, loan waivers, and Minimum Support Price. Young voters said they were frustrated about the job situation. Women spoke about inflation. In urban pockets, religious and caste polarisation, infrastructure issues, and the popularity of a few leaders dominated conversations. But to predict an outcome is a different game altogether. Yet, the inevitable question that journalists face from colleagues, family, friends, acquaintances, and even leaders during elections is “Who is going to win?” Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: CSDS-Lokniti Survey Women sided with Mahayuti for Ladki Bahin Yojana’s monthly dole Mahayuti reaps the benefits of Centre’s schemes for farmers Digital and door-to-door campaigns, along with late deciders, shaped outcomes Amid weak execution, welfare may not have influenced Maharashtra vote At some point during this election, this became a common conversation starter as though reporters are privy to some secret knowledge about the numbers game. As voting day approached, the question was posed as a challenge — a friend even said, “If you are covering the polls, you should know the outcome, right?” I had some unhelpful stock replies: “Let’s wait and see” or “It is a tough fight”. None of this is surprising, especially since TV journalists often wade into the tricky waters of election forecasting. When people pose this question, the (wrong) assumption is that journalists are not the chroniclers, but architects of history. But with experience, I have learned to refrain from getting too entangled in the arithmetic of polls or predicting outcomes; that unenviable job is best left to political pundits. A seasoned journalist once told me, “In political journalism, the wind blows where it pleases. Our job is just to catch its scent.” While we managed to catch the scent — a broad spectrum of people, including women in rural areas, seemed to favour the Mahayuti alliance — predicting the scale of victory was trickier. It is safe to say that few imagined the scale of the Mahayuti’s victory. This was the case during the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections too. Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress Party won merely 11 seats out of 175, leaving many journalists and analysts stunned and scrambling to explain the extent of his defeat. The BJP got a historic mandate in Maharashtra with 132 seats , exactly 10 more than what the party had secured a decade ago. I heaved a sigh of relief for surviving another election cycle without sticking my neck out too far. But predictably, the question shifted and people began to ask, “Who is going to be the Chief Minister?” This is a relatively simpler question to tackle. In Maharashtra, the political grapevine had been buzzing for days and the name of one leader was floating about. But it is necessary to be cautious in this regard too, as politics always throws up surprises. In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, for instance, leaders who were not in the race were suddenly sworn in as Chief Minister. Again, I did not commit to an answer. Related Stories Devendra Fadnavis back as Maharashtra CM, ‘to work together’ with deputies Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar Suspense prevailed before Shinde finally took oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar breaks records as deputy CM, but his long quest for the top job remains unfulfilled This is not to say that there is no temptation to predict the outcome or reply with some confidence. But doing so or reporting certain events and statements too early can backfire, especially in a profession where credibility is currency. As my editor says, “It is not about breaking news; it is about breaking it right.” As the dust settles on another election, I know that it is okay to not answer some questions. Reporters are not here to speculate or foresee the outcome. We are here to report stories that matter the most to the people, to provide a balanced view of the political climate, and to catch the scent as it were. deshpande.abhinay@thehindu.co.in Published - December 06, 2024 02:45 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit election / political campaigns
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NEW YORK -- President-elect Donald Trump , largely ensconced at Mar-a-Lago in recent weeks, will make a rare appearance outside his Florida resort to accept the “Patriot of the Year" award at Fox Nation’s Patriot Awards on Thursday night. Trump, who has been announcing job picks as he builds out his administration, will travel to New York's Long Island for the annual awards ceremony from the Fox News streaming platform. The event is being hosted by Fox host Sean Hannity, a friend of Trump's who stepped in after the president-elect nominated Pete Hegseth , the original host, as defense secretary. The annual awards “honor and recognize America’s finest patriots, including military veterans, first responders and other inspirational everyday heroes,” according to Fox. They are meant to honor “unsung heroes and real patriots" who “never get any recognition,” Hannity told Fox News Digital , with categories including the “Fox Nation Award for Service to Veterans” and the “Fox Nation Culture Warrior Award." Trump wrote on his Truth Social site earlier this week that he looked "greatly forward" to receiving the Patriot of the Year award, an honor he called “so nice!” Among those recognized last year were bestselling author James Patterson, five Nashville police officers who responded to the Covenant School shooting in 2023, and Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich, the founders of the conservative parental rights group Moms for Liberty, which emerged in 2021 and drew attention for its efforts to strip mentions of LGBTQ+ identity and structural racism from classrooms. Trump's award marks the culmination of Fox's reembrace of the president-elect, who has had an up-and-down relationship with the network in recent years. The network paid $787 million in 2023 to settle a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems over false claims by Fox personalities who echoed Trump's lies that the 2020 election was stolen from him through mass voter fraud. For more than six months ending in spring 2023, Fox had what many considered a “soft ban” on Trump appearances, its leaders looking to move on. But when it became clear that voters did not want to, Fox and its personalities were quick to embrace Trump again. Individual personalities have undergone their own journeys: Former Fox host Megyn Kelly drew Trump’s ire in a 2015 debate for her sharp question about his treatment of women; now she’s a popular podcast host and Trump supporter. The Dominion lawsuit uncovered emails in which former Fox host Tucker Carlson spoke disparagingly of Trump, including saying he “truly can’t wait” for Trump to become an ex-president. They’ve since made amends. Through it all, Trump has been quick to take to social media to criticize Fox for content he deems insufficiently loyal. Trump has begun to emerge more in public since spending most of his transition so far behind closed doors at his club in Palm Beach, Florida. This week, he made an unannounced appearance at a memorial service for three Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were killed in a car crash last month. And this weekend, he will travel to Paris to join other world leaders and dignitaries for a ceremony to celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral , which was devastated by a fire five years ago. ___ AP Media Writer David Bauder contributed to this report.
President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100 at his Georgia home on Sunday. The 39th president of the United States, Carter is remembered as a staunch advocate for human rights, with an enduring commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian work. WASHINGTON - Former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100 on Sunday. Carter served as the 39th President of the United States and was known for his enduring commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian work. Carter served one term, from 1977 to 1981. He saw some monumental successes during his time in office, such as the brokering of the Camp David accord between Egypt and Israel but his term was also plagued by the energy crisis, inflation, high interest rates and the infamous Iran hostage crisis. But even after losing his bid for re-election, Carter continued to serve the public, championing causes such as global health, democracy and human rights. Carter received many honors throughout his life. At the 2000 Democratic Convention, delegates rose to their feet in his honor. And in 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. READ MORE: Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States, dies at 100 The late former president Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his decades of work seeking peaceful solutions to international conflicts, advancing democracy and human rights, and promoting economic and social development. Here's how the former president will be honored following his passing. Presidential funerals can take years to plan out and the details are usually kept secret between close family members and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. The arrangements are not announced until after a president dies. The plans for Carter's funeral have not been announced at this time, but shortly after the news of his passing came out, President Joe Biden said he is ordering an official state funeral to be held in Washington, D.C. "To honor a great American, I will be ordering an official state funeral to be held in Washington D.C. for James Earl Carter, Jr., 39th President of the United States, 76th Governor of Georgia, Lieutenant of the United States Navy, graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and favorite son of Plains, Georgia, who gave his full life in service to God and country," Biden said in a statement. The president, former presidents and president-elect are all entitled to a state funeral, but then family decides if they actually get one, or just how involved it will be. The family will provide details of the funeral plans to the Washington Military District, which is in charge of implementing them. At this time, the Carter Center says public observances will be held in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. as well as a burial and funeral in his hometown of White Plains, Georgia. READ MORE: 'A man of faith and a man of principles:' Historian reflects on friendship with Jimmy Carter Protocol dictates that flags will be flown at half-staff for a period of 30 days after the passing of a U.S. president. The sitting president is also in charge of issuing an executive order issued authorizing the closure of federal offices and buildings for a national day of mourning. Each president’s final resting place is among the details they include in their plans. Most have chosen locations in their home states; only two presidents are buried at Arlington National Cemetery: Kennedy and William Howard Taft. What occurs in Washington, D.C. unfolds according to guidelines that date back to the mid-1800s and have been reshaped over time. They often involve funeral processions down Pennsylvania Avenue, lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda and a memorial service, usually at the Washington National Cathedral. READ MORE: What you may not know about Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter In 2015, Carter announced shattering news about his health. He candidly spoke about his battle with liver and brain cancer. "Now I feel it’s in the hands of God, who I worship, and I’ll be prepared for anything that comes," he said. Extensive treatment followed and he was declared cancer-free in December 2015. In 2019, Carter suffered several falls, one requiring hip replacement surgery. Another led to a fractured pelvis. In November of that year, he had to undergo surgery to relieve bleeding on his brain related to the falls. But Carter remained active well into his 90s, continuing to lead Sunday School classes at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains and to help build Habitat for Humanity houses for those in need. He had been receiving at-home hospice care for nearly two years at the time of his death. The Carter Center confirmed his death, saying he died peacefully at his home in Plains, surrounded by his family. He was the longest-lived president in U.S. history. Additional details on the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, as well as details on his services can be found on the Carter Center Tribute website . The Carter Center, FOX 5 Atlanta reporting, LiveNow reportingRams can take huge step toward NFC West title by avenging 31-point loss to Cardinals
7 tips to prepare for next year’s taxes nowJimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent more than a year in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is dead at age 100 Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. He left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Jimmy Carter: A brief bio Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at his home in Plains, Georgia. His death comes more than a year after the former president entered hospice care. He was 100 years old. Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD.
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