The relationship between the media and politicians has long been a complicated one.

On one hand is the role of the media to hold truth to power. On the other is that that truth can often be uncomfortable for politicians.

This complexity was on show this week when Network Ten political editor Peter Van Onselen exposed messages between former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and a federal cabinet minister describing the Prime Minister as a “horrible, horrible man” and a “psycho”.

Today on Please Explain, former press gallery journalist, now national correspondent, Matthew Knott, joins Nathanael Cooper to look at the relationship between journalists and politicians.