Many months in advance of the November 4 U.S. presidential election -- and before the Republican Party has even chosen a candidate -- media outlets around the world are covering the U.S. campaign and primary season with great zeal. Why is this particular presidential election garnering such international attention so early on? And why is it so globally “newsworthy”?

Although technology has allowed coverage to expand through television, radio and the Internet, many stories still go unreported, both in the mainstream media and independent outlets.

In light of the global recession, many media outlets around the world are scaling back on "extraneous" spending. Trainings, conferences and seminars are being removed from news organizations' budgets, while fewer journalists are seeking outside training for fear of missing work and losing their jobs.

“Objective” coverage of an issue – or “objectivity” – is understood to mean coverage that is not influenced by the personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice of a reporter. Instead it is based on facts and presents the many sides of an issue. 

Can a journalist be truly objective?