Bad News Cycles & Political Survival | The Honourable & The Hack – Episode 12

How do politicians survive a bad news cycle?What are the unwritten rules between journalists and elected officials?And what’s the story that every politician truly fears?In Episode 12 of The Honourable & The Hack, Andrew Parsons and Alex Bill take listeners inside the intersection of politics and journalism — and pull back the curtain on how stories really unfold.The episode begins with a listener mailbag question from Fraser about the makeup of Cabinet and whether proportional regional representation should be required — and whether Cabinets have historically reflected population distribution.Then the main discussion begins:• The unwritten rules between politicians and the press• What “off the record” really means• When to comment — and when it doesn’t matter• The strategic use of leaks• How reporters recognize when risk is being transferred• How to survive a bad news cycle• Why leadership style matters in crisis• The stories politicians fear most — including personal allegations and family being dragged into politicsThis is a candid look at the reality behind the headlines.📩 Got a question for a future mailbag episode?Send it to: [email protected]’re building toward a full mailbag episode this spring — and we need your questions.🎥 Watch on YouTube:👉 www.youtube.com/@TheHonourableandTheHackDisclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer, organization, or institution. This content is intended for discussion and commentary and should not be considered professional, legal, or political advice.