A pundit is an individual who dishes out opinions on certain areas of focus such as social sciences, political analysis, and sports usually areas wherein they are professionals. This term seems to have gained increased use among certain media personalities. In some instances, it could also be used in rather derogatory ways. The term pundit takes its origin from a term pandit who means learned man or knowledge owner. It speaks of someone who is an erudite scholar in different spheres of human endeavors. One thing that triggers the curiosity of many bothers on how much do political pundits make. We will answer this and a host of other related questions in this piece.
How much do political pundits make?
As of 2016, about 50 percent of the broadcast news analysts all earned a minimum of $56,680 each year. It is also estimated that the upper ten percentile went home with over $163,490 while the lower ten percentile went home with less than $25,690. It is also estimated that those who worked for cable networks earned about $83,000 each year. For those who are fortunate to climb the ranks and become one of the top political commentators, a seven to eight-digit salary may not be impossible. More often than not, employers seek candidates who have at least a bachelor’s degree in communications or journalism. In the case of political pundits, a political science, law or economics degree may come in handy.
How Can I Become A Political Pundit?
Political pundits simply deploy their knowledge and understanding of governance systems and political behavior to give a deep analysis of political based issues. More often than not, they have an exceptional understanding of current events and political issues. They also have a deep sense to acquire and analyze available political information. This career is often best suited for commentators who have a strong passion for politics. Here is a breakdown of how you can start a career as a political pundit.
Step1: get professional knowledge
In your journey to becoming a political commentator, the first thing you have to do is seek a career in journalism, political science or mass communication. Those with a degree in political science often posses a better sense of understanding of the different aspects of governance and politics. It should also help you understand the importance of ethnicity, race, foreign policy, and the American government. When you graduate, it may be advisable that you gain some professional work experience or seek further qualifications to deepen your knowledge.
Step2: boost yourself with vital skills
For you to be a political pundit to reckon with, ensure that you have strong analytical skills as well as the unique ability to offer unbiased opinions about certain issues. You should be able to dissect and analyze national issues without sounding leftist or rightist. It is also important that you develop a keen sense of written and verbal communication skills. This is mainly because the job often deals with interviewing politicians to get their perspective on issues. It is also important that you are computer proficient with solid internet skills. This is essential because you need to be current with the happenings in the political space, especially on social and allied media.
Step3: brush up your reputation
In this field, employers often prefer engaging the services of someone who has a good reputation as this often means a wider audience. For you to build a strong reputation, you should consider starting as a journalist. You could also come up with a blog where you could post your political opinions and views. It is also advisable that you join up with the American Political Science Association to gain access to the publications of the industry. Here you can interact with other professionals within the field.
Step4: Go get your job
The moment you have established yourself as a political pundit, you should be able to secure a job with any of the big TV networks or politics based websites. Several experienced commentators often progress to become editors while some come up with their political consultancy firms.
What Is Politics?
The concept of politics is one that deals with a given set of activities that pertain to the governance of a certain geographical entity. It usually has to do with making decisions that directly affect a given group of people. It is a concept that deals with exercising and achieving certain governmental positions. It also deals with the organized control of a certain area. on the academic side which simply focuses on politics is known as politology.
In modern-day societies, several people often come up with political parties intending to project their ideas. Also, the members of a political party may come up with an agreement to adopt a singular position.
What Are The Classifications Of Politics?
For you to be a proficient political pundit, you must know the classifications of politics. Here is a breakdown of it:
Formal politics
This simply refers to a system of operating a constitutionally backed government with well-outlined procedures and institutions. In this set-up, talks about political parties, public policies and foreign affairs are placed in the formal politics category. Several people often view formal politics as something that they are not part of but affect their lives daily.
Semi-formal politics
This is the type of politics that exists in government associations like neighborhood associations or student union governments. In this case, the student union often promotes the success of the students by offering them several programs, services, and activities. In this case, when they are taken together, they represent a solid plan for the development that occurs within a school environment.
Informal Politics
This simply deals with the formation of alliances while also exercising powers and promoting certain goals or ideas. This generally includes whatever has to do with the daily life of individuals such as the way a household gets managed. Informal politics is also viewed as everyday politics which is why politics is viewed as something that occurs everywhere.
What Are The Perceived Sins Of Political Pundits?
Pundits are often known to offer their opinions on the people that are ahead or behind and the implication of what each event means. Before you get too excited about the roles they play, you must know that their arguments are not always impeccable. Here are a few sins committed by pundits:
1. Cognitive dissonance
This is simply a case where one has or holds contradictory beliefs that lead to stress in acting upon them.
2. Confirmation bias
More often than not, people are on the lookout for information that confirms the political biases which they previously held. In such a situation, they are most likely to ignore the ones which do not conform. Pundits of this category often are rigid in their beliefs and are quick to discard people who have conflicting views.
3. Making too much of the polls
There are quite several reasons why one should question the affinity pundits often have with the polls. They usually make much of a fuss about certain statistically insignificant changes in the results. It should be noted that public opinion polls in political races are often not so meaningful. This is because more often than not, it is an electoral vote and not the popular votes that determine who wins.
4. Selective use of information
It is said that there are three types of falsehood and they include damn lies, lies, and statistics. Political punditry often prospers in the field of creative lying using statistics. Candidates often do this by choosing the statistic that is in support of their views and opinions. Such pundits are often aware that statistics have a way of confusing people. There are also people don’t know the truth and do not even bother to find out the source of their claims. Many pundits just spew stuff because they know most people will not carry out due diligence to confirm the authenticity of their claims.
What Is Political Journalism?
This is simply a broad branch of journalism that encompasses the different aspects of political science and politics. This term often specifically talks about the coverage of political power and civil organizations. Political journalism simply seeks to inform the voters to come up with their views and as such engage in national matters which affect them the most.
More often than not, Journalists that report on politics are not often familiar with political science research. They also tend to question their level of relevance to the work they do. This type of journalism is available in broadcast, print, and online platforms.
Final Word
The number of political pundits makes cannot be equated to the work they do. They help provide insight and balance to the ever-interesting world of politics. It is therefore important that core professionals handle this role.
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