As the US presidential election nears, Hugh Linehan talks to US journalist Ben Smith about the intense relationship between America’s media and its polarised politics.

They assess Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s use of traditional media and newer formats like podcasts as campaign tools in this election cycle.

Ben also reflects on the consequences of his decision as editor of BuzzFeed News to publish the notorious Steele dossier on Donald Trump’s alleged links to Russia.

Ben Smith is editor-in-chief of news website Semafor and previously wrote about media and politics for the New York Times.

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