On Tuesday, one test of America’s news media comes to an end and another begins. Having covered the most polarizing election in a generation, journalists will now have to cover what will almost certainly be a highly contentious post-election period. If the result is close enough, the coming weeks could decide who takes the oath of office in January next year. Even if it isn’t close, how the news media handles the post-election period and partisan attacks on the integrity of the election will shape millions of Americans’ trust in the democratic process — and in the news media themselves — for years to come.
The stakes are high. Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the integrity of the electoral process, said he may not abide by the election result unless he wins, and refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power.
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