The Jeremiad Over Journalism

with a reply in the article. Based solely on the text, the article‘s author ―Mac‖ does not seem to have
attempted a comment from the two parties either. The article itself is characterized by being hard
news as well as descriptive in nature, but knowing Politiken‘s close historical affinity with The
Radikale Venstre and Pundik‘s publicized break with the political party, it is notable that such as
story can be found on the front page during a national election campaign as the top story in 1971. 571
By 2001, however, less than 17 percent of the frontpage articles in Politiken dealing with politics
zero or one sources in their articles. One of the articles that does use two sources ―VK: Thule
should be part of missile defense‖ discusses whether or not the Danes should allow the Thule-base
to be part of the American proposed missile defense. In the article, Venstre‘s spokesman for defense
Svend Aage Jensby is quoted as saying ―it would be a slap in the face of the United States,‖ if
Denmark said no, while his political opponent Minister of Defense Jan Trøjborg advocates taking
more time to make a decision since ―it can not be simplified the way that V and K does.‖ 572 As the
above example indicates, Politiken by 2001 balances opposing statements in political reporting to
an extent not seen in 1971. Also the article ―Venstre Wants an All New Minister‖ from 2001 reveals
that statements between opposing candidates Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
are balanced. These examples can be seen as indicators that a shift towards an ideal of using at least
two sources with opposing political viewpoints have occurred during election campaigns. 573
571
Mac, "Regerings-Trojkaen Slingrer Før Valget [Government-Trojka Wavering before Election]," Politiken,
September 11, 1971.
572
Kristian Klarskov, "VK: Thule Skal Med I Missil-Skjold [VK: Thule Should Be Part of Missile-Defense," Politiken,
November 6, 2001. Page 1.
573
Christine Cordsen and Kristian Klarskov, "Venstre Vil Have Helt Ny Minister [Venstre Wants an All New
Minister]," Politiken, November 12, 2001. This is also the case of ―VK-government expected in a few days,‖ where
Venstre‘s Anders Fogh Rasmussen‘s statements are inserted along with the potential coalition partner and leader of the
right-wing party Dansk Folkeparti Pia Kjærsgaard.
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