Bridging
Answering a hostile question honestly and returning to your message.
Short answer
What is Bridging?
Bridging is an interview technique in which a spokesperson acknowledges and answers the question asked, then transitions deliberately to the message they came to deliver.
Definition
Bridging is an interview technique in which a spokesperson acknowledges and answers the question asked, then transitions deliberately to the message they came to deliver.
Why It Matters
Indian television debate formats are adversarial and interruption-heavy. A candidate who cannot bridge either becomes defensive or evades visibly — both of which produce the damaging clip.
Example in Indian Elections
Media training drills bridging until it is automatic, because under studio pressure a technique that requires conscious thought will not be available.
Related Terms
- Message ArchitectureThe structured hierarchy of a campaign’s core promise and supporting arguments.
- Rapid ResponseThe capability to detect, verify and answer an attack within hours.
- FramingChoosing the terms on which an issue is debated.
- SurrogateAn authorised supporter who carries the campaign message publicly.
- Polling BoothThe individual polling station where a defined group of voters casts their votes.
- Form 20The statutory ECI document publishing booth-wise vote counts after a poll.