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LIFE OF A FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT IN THE DIGITAL AGE - ZOE DANIEL ON COVERING THE US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

(Zoe Daniel at one of the Presidential Debates - Photo: Stephanie March)

Washington Bureau Chief Zoe Daniel has had a frantic first year as North America Correspondent, covering the US Presidential Election as well as other major stories, such as the Orlando massacre. This is Zoe’s third foreign posting and Back Story asked her about how the role has changed and what life is like for the modern correspondent, producing content for television, radio and a range of digital platforms.

(Zoe Daniel preparing for a live cross - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

What has it been like covering the US Presidential Election?

“The US Presidential Election process is very different to any election process anywhere else that I've worked. It's obviously very long winded and in many ways it's quite indirect, in that voters elect delegates and electors rather than voting directly for the candidates. This provides a buffer between the voters and the outcome, but this year it's also caused frustration among voters who think the system is being manipulated against them, through Super Delegates on the Democratic side for example. This has added to the fireworks during a campaign that's so far been unprecedented in its unpredictability and divisiveness and has provided us with plenty of angles for coverage, especially at the respective national conventions.”

(Donald Trump addressing the Republican National Convention - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

“Covering the process has been fascinating and it's been great to have been able to follow it step by step from the one on one intimate politics of the Iowa caucuses to the chaos of the Conventions and into the election campaign proper. One thing that's difficult is getting close up access to the candidates as the campaign machines grow and the security and management of the events gets tighter.”

(Mood chocolate on offer at the third debate! - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

(On the road in winter covering the election - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

“Back in January, we were able to get a lot closer. Now we tend to have our movement restricted inside campaign rallies and have been finding it increasingly difficult to get credentials for Trump events where international media access is a low priority. Highlights so far include meeting Hillary Clinton briefly early in the campaign, and generally having a front row seat as history unfolds. Personally I've had quite a few goose bump moments when I've thought, wow. I'm so lucky to have this job!”

(The crowd cheering for Hillary Clinton at the National Democratic Convention - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

(Correspondent Stephanie March, Coordinating Producer Roscoe Whalan and cameraman Brad Fulton in the media room at the National Democratic Convention - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

What has been involved for you and the Washington team in covering the election across platforms?

“Demand for material kicks up during every presidential campaign, particularly those where there is no incumbent candidate seeking re-election. In this case, we are grappling with a one-in-eight year campaign, plus the first female candidate, plus the whirlwind that is Donald Trump. That means there's particularly high daily interest in US politics right now. We're busy every day turning around developments for radio, TV and digital, as well as planning for the major set piece moments like key Primaries, the Conventions, Debates and the election itself.”

(Preparing to cross from the Associated Press live point at the Republican National Convention - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

“It's important to also keep on top of other key events and issues that are happening in the US that are not election related and of course we also have frequent breaking news to cover. The Orlando massacre was something that affected all of us deeply and was very grueling to cover in a physical and emotional sense but when we had completed our coverage it was quickly back to politics. Suffice to say we're pretty busy around here! That said everyone in the bureau is also highly engaged in the political story obviously so we enjoy covering all of those twists and turns and we do our best to support each other as much as possible so everyone gets some time off occasionally. The main challenge editorially has been to try to explain to an Australian audience why Donald Trump has made it this far, what drives his supporters and why there is such distaste and lack of trust in Hillary Clinton. The other challenge is to explain Donald Trump's policies which are highly changeable.”

(Cameraman Brad Fulton and a huge trolley load of gear - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

(Stephanie March filing from a ‘quiet spot’ under a table at one of the debates! - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

Can you outline what you have produced specifically for digital platforms?

“We have introduced a Podcast, a weekly email/online blog and frequent Facebook lives as part of our campaign coverage. They augment our TV and radio and our online news coverage and analysis. Because they all provide a more casual format and more time they allow discussion of things that don't necessarily make it in to our other coverage. They tend to be more relaxed in style compared to the other things that we do and from that perspective they're fun to do as well. The email blog specifically also allows us to curate some of the more unusual and sometimes hilarious coverage that's popping up all the time here, but is unlikely to be seen by an Australian audience. We also have a big emphasis on social media, tweeting and Facebooking lots of campaign info, photos and videos especially when we're in the field.”

(Zoe filing for TV and digital platforms - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

This is your third foreign posting, after Africa, 2005-2007, and South-East Asia, 2010-2013, how has the role changed over the years and how is this posting different compared to the other two?

“Plenty has changed! My first two postings were in single correspondent bureaux and both beats came with plenty of developing world challenges both in terms of day to day existence and travel. Conflict, poverty and natural disasters were the three prevailing themes across both of those postings. I was also working in smaller teams. Here in DC we have a larger team with three correspondents, two camera crews and two producers as well as an office manager.”

(Part of the Washington team on the road - cameraman Brad Fulton, producers Roscoe Whalan, correspondents Stephanie March and Zoe Daniel - Photo: Zoe Daniel)

“It's great to be part of a cohesive office and to be able to work as a team on coverage. Our beat is obviously also a lot more similar to Australia compared to the other places I've worked, although America truly does have its quirks! The other main difference is the increasing emphasis on live coverage and online. During the conventions I was doing lots of TV live crosses as well as running around covering the story and then scripting, so it's quite a juggle compared to the old days of a whole day to do one TV package! That said, the technology has also vastly improved, so achieving that logistically has become a lot easier compared to when I was traveling around Africa on my own with a gigantic and unreliable satellite phone.”