Politico

The Politico Frontpage 2007-02-15

Politico vending box DC

Politico, officially known as Politico, LLC, is an American political journalism company based in Arlington County, Virginia, with additional offices in New York City and Brussels. Founded in 2007 by John F. Harris, Jim VandeHei, and Allbritton Communications, Politico covers politics and policy in the United States and internationally. It has grown to become a significant media outlet, known for its in-depth coverage of political news, analysis, and opinion pieces.

History

Politico was launched in January 2007, with the aim of providing a more detailed, focused, and comprehensive coverage of Washington, D.C. politics and policy. The founders, Harris and VandeHei, were former The Washington Post reporters who sought to create a platform that combined traditional newspaper reporting with the speed and style of the internet. Politico quickly established itself with the coverage of the 2008 United States presidential election, gaining a reputation for fast, in-depth reporting on the political landscape.

Content and Coverage

Politico publishes content both online and in print, including a newspaper that circulates in the Washington, D.C. area, a magazine, and several specialized sections focused on specific policy areas such as Congress, The White House, and defense. Its website features a mix of news stories, editorials, and blogs written by in-house writers and contributors. Politico is particularly known for its "Playbook," a daily newsletter that provides a briefing on the day's most important political stories.

Impact and Criticism

Politico has been praised for its detailed coverage of politics and its ability to break significant news stories. However, it has also faced criticism for its focus on political insider information and horse-race journalism, which some argue comes at the expense of broader policy issues. Despite this, Politico remains a key source of political news for policymakers, journalists, and the interested public.

International Expansion

In 2014, Politico expanded its operations internationally by launching Politico Europe in collaboration with Axel Springer SE, a German publishing company. Based in Brussels, Politico Europe covers the European Union and European politics, mirroring the in-depth political reporting of its American counterpart.

Ownership and Management

In 2016, Politico underwent a significant change in its ownership structure when co-founder Jim VandeHei left the company, along with several key staffers, to start a new media venture. Around the same time, investment firm Robert Allbritton took full control of Politico, reaffirming its commitment to independent journalism and political reporting.

See Also

• Journalism
• Media in the United States
• Online journalism