Why does the media struggle with why some controversial politicians are very popular?

The Italian Senate has voted to expel ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi from parliament over his conviction for tax fraud. However, throughout all of Mr Berlusconi's recent scandals, he has seen great support from voters. The same is true of many other controversial leaders around the world who have been elected despite revelations about their life and policies whilst being under great media scrutiny. We will hear from supporters of controversial politicians such as Toronto's mayor Rob Ford, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and Russia's leader Vladimir Putin and discuss what it is that they like about these political figures.

(Picture credits: AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI / FILESBRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Ford: REUTERS/Aaron Harris
Gillard: REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
Mugabe: AFP PHOTO/ROSLAN RAHMANROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Putin: AP Photo/Luca Bruno
Berlusconi: Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images)