In the course of a political campaign,reporters will often be leaked what is called opposition research—dirt, or potential dirt, or compiled by campaign staffs (or affiliated nonprofits) to use against their opponents. Oppo research can be useful to journalists. perhaps a campaign has uncovered the existence of a rumor too salacious for the candidate herself to touch,leaving its secret dissemination to a reporter as their only recourse.
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Source: gawker.com