Politico facts for kids
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| Industry | News |
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| Founded | January 23, 2007 (as The Politico) |
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Key people
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| Products |
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| Owner | Axel Springer SE |
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Number of employees
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1100 as of January, 2024 (700+ in North America, 375 in Europe) |
Politico is an American news company that focuses on politics. It was started in 2007 by Robert Allbritton. The company reports on politics and government in the United States and around the world.
Politico has news operations in the U.S., the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Most of its news is published online, but it also creates newspapers, radio shows, and podcasts. Its main topics include the U.S. federal government, lobbying (when people try to influence government decisions), and the media.
In 2021, a German media company called Axel Springer SE bought Politico for over $1 billion. Axel Springer is the largest newspaper publisher in Europe.
Contents
History of Politico
How It Started and Grew
Politico was created in 2007 by John F. Harris and Jim VandeHei. They both left their jobs at The Washington Post to start a new kind of political news source. They wanted to cover politics with the same speed and detail that sports channels like ESPN use to cover sports.
The website launched on January 23, 2007. From the start, its journalists used video cameras and were encouraged to share their work widely. By 2008, the website was getting more than three million visitors each month.
After the 2008 U.S. presidential election, Politico grew quickly. It hired more reporters, editors, and other staff. Between 2008 and 2012, the number of employees more than tripled. In 2011, the company began to publish more long-form journalism, which are longer, more detailed articles.
Over the years, Politico had several different leaders. In 2022, Goli Sheikholeslami became the CEO. She was chosen by the new owner, Axel Springer, to lead Politico in both the U.S. and Europe.
Going Global
In 2014, Politico partnered with the German company Axel Springer SE to create a European version of its news service. This led to the launch of Politico Europe in 2015, with its main office in Brussels, Belgium.
Politico Europe quickly became a popular news source for people working in European politics. By 2016, it had about 50 journalists and was ranked as the most-read news source among a group of influential people in Brussels.
Important News Stories
Investigations That Made a Difference
Politico became known for its investigative journalism, which means digging deep to uncover facts. These stories have sometimes led to big changes in government.
- In 2015, a series of stories helped expose a scandal that led to the resignation of U.S. Representative Aaron Schock.
- In 2017, a reporter uncovered information about President Donald Trump's choice for Labor Secretary, Andy Puzder. The story revealed details about Puzder's past, and he withdrew his name from consideration.
- Later in 2017, reporters found that Health Secretary Tom Price was using expensive private jets paid for by taxpayers. Price resigned after the stories were published.
- In 2022, a Politico report revealed that President Joe Biden's science adviser, Eric Lander, had been treating his staff poorly. Lander resigned after the story came out.
How Politico Works Today
Using Artificial Intelligence
In 2024, Politico began using artificial intelligence (AI) to write short summaries of big political events, like the presidential debates. However, the magazine Wired reported that the AI tool made mistakes. It sometimes made up quotes, misspelled names, and used words that went against Politico's own rules.
Politico later announced it was working with a company to create a better AI tool for its paying subscribers. This caused a disagreement with the union that represents Politico's journalists, who said they were not given enough notice about the new technology.
News Distribution
As of 2017, Politico's American website had about 26 million unique visitors a month. Its European site had over 1.5 million.
Politico also prints a free newspaper in Washington, D.C., and Manhattan. The newspaper is published up to five times a week when Congress is working. It includes news stories, advertisements, and job listings for political positions.
After being bought by Axel Springer, the new owners said that Politico staff would be expected to follow the company's main principles. These include supporting a united Europe and Israel's right to exist. However, unlike at some of Axel Springer's German newspapers, Politico employees do not have to sign a document agreeing to these principles.
Awards and Influence
Politico has won many awards for its journalism. In 2012, its cartoonist, Matt Wuerker, won a Pulitzer Prize. The company has also won four George Polk Awards for its investigative reporting, including one in 2022 for the story on the Supreme Court leak.
Many people say that Politico's fast-paced style of reporting has influenced other news organizations. It has also inspired former employees to start their own successful news companies, such as Axios and Punchbowl News.
See also
In Spanish: Politico (periódico) para niños
- List of newspapers in Washington, D.C.
