Introducing today: Focus Online chief reporter Göran Schattauer (55), who had his first day of work with us 20 years ago in 2002 and since then has experienced a lot of exciting, unusual and literally "crime ripe" thing…
It's Wednesday morning and Markus Hurek's phone is ringing off the hook. The newsroom in Berlin is a hive of activity as the editorial deadline looms. But it's not just about finalising the next issue – the weeks leading up to the elections are particularly intense for the domestic politics team. Despite the busy schedule, Markus takes the time to explain how political journalists stay focused, organised and impartial, even in an increasingly polarised political climate.
While Focus' political desk regularly covers state and federal elections, the snap election in February 2025 presents its own challenges: little time to prepare, a packed calendar and heated debates in parliament and society. "There was no 'oh no, snap election' moment. As a newsroom, we constantly monitor political developments, and by the end of 2023 it was already clear that the coalition was shaky," Markus explains. Still, a snap election means we have to quickly switch to high-intensity reporting mode.
This requires thorough planning. "Every morning at 9 a.m. we have a newsroom meeting to discuss current stories and the editorial plan. As the election approaches, the pace picks up: more interviews, more research, more analysis", says Markus. For the team, election season is one of the most exciting times. "If you're going to cover politics, you have to be prepared for long evenings and late nights on election Sunday," he adds.
Maintaining neutrality during election coverage is essential – but it's also one of the most difficult parts of the job. "We draw a clear line between news and commentary," explains Markus. While news must remain objective, Focus provides space for opinion through editorials and columns. However, a good political journalist must avoid being influenced by populist narratives or emotional reactions. "Our job is not to take sides or campaign – it's to analyse, contextualise and report the facts," he says. By critically questioning and investigating political messages, journalists give readers the tools to make up their own minds.
The relationship between politicians and journalists follows certain rules. In addition to public events such as parliamentary debates and press conferences, informal background briefings allow for off-the-record exchanges. "It's not about landing exclusive scoops, but about gaining a deeper understanding of political developments," Markus explains. Breaking the confidentiality of these discussions can quickly result in losing access.
While journalists need to be close to politics to do their job, they also need to maintain their role as watchdogs. "We have a constitutionally protected mandate – to observe and evaluate how political power is exercised," says Markus. Suggestions of a "symbiotic relationship" are misleading: "We are not here to help politicians. Our job is to hold them accountable.
Social media has fundamentally changed the way political reporting works. "Politicians used to communicate with voters through press releases or newsletters. Today, they have entire social media teams creating content around the clock," Markus explains. This means that journalists have to go beyond traditional sources and closely monitor platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
One of the biggest challenges is navigating the algorithms. "Platforms prioritise polarising content, which gives an advantage to parties with more divisive messages," Markus says. "The AfD, for example, is very effective at pushing scandal-driven narratives, which makes it harder for more balanced messages to break through." For journalists, this means understanding and questioning the mechanics of social media more critically than ever before.
The election results come in on Sunday night, but the real work of the newsroom begins on Monday and peaks on Tuesday. "Tuesday is when we find out what really matters," Markus explains. While online outlets report minute-by-minute updates on election night, Focus, as a weekly magazine, has to take a broader view. With the print deadline on Wednesday and the magazine hitting the shelves on Friday, the team has to decide which stories have staying power. That means analysing party reactions, new majority dynamics and potential coalitions with depth and perspective. "We have to make sure that our readers aren't just informed, but also given meaningful context and long-term insights," says Markus.
For political journalists, elections are an intense but rewarding time. The work involves constant monitoring, detailed preparation, building strong networks and maintaining neutrality in a polarised environment. While social media has changed the landscape, the core principles of journalism – fact-based reporting, impartiality and holding power to account – remain unchanged. "There's always a sense of urgency," admits Markus. "But that's part of what makes the job so exciting. Nothing is worse than when nothing happens."
