Media Watch: Part II
Turn Web Site into Micro-Channel
The revolution in the media world, particularly in broadcast media, has all sorts of ramifications for politics. We’re all aware of the impact of blogging, but the addition of high-quality, easy-to-produce audio and video distributed over the Internet will also provide powerful new opportunities to reach key audiences in campaigns and legislative efforts.
These new channels of communications offer increasing opportunities to deliver messages straight to important audiences without filtering by the traditional news media.
I’ve written previously about the impact of the Senate majority blog during the legislative session as the site experimented a bit with audio and video. Here’s another example of an interest group effectively using new media:
Several days ago I was invited by Robin Riggs of the Salt Lake Chamber to participate on a panel discussion entitled Politics 101. The four presenters, including myself, Riggs, Stan Lockhart and Maura Carabello, described the Utah political process, and discussed how to get involved and have an impact. We provided tips on getting elected as a delegate, supporting candidates, and running for office, among other things. Handouts were provided on some of the topics.
Within a couple of hours of the presentation, Michael De Groote, the Chamber’s director of communications, had photos of the event, an audio recording of the entire presentation, along with the handouts, posted on the Chamber’s web site and available for downloading.
So even though only about 50 people attended the event, and even though no news media covered it, all the information was quickly available to all of the thousands of Chamber members (and also to anyone else in the world with an Internet connection). Thus, the Chamber was able to greatly leverage the event and provide a service to members who couldn’t attend, all without having to rely on the news media.
To take full advantage of the new tools of the Internet, a political campaign, interest group, or anyone who wants to influence public opinion needs to stop thinking of their web site as a mere web site, and start thinking of it as a combination on-line newspaper, radio station and TV station.
In other words, think of your web site as a micro-channel dispensing news and information about your candidate or cause. Learn how to post and make available audio and video on your site.
There’s an old saying that “events drive politics.” That’s even more true today because events like speeches, press conference, fund-raisers, seminars, etc., can be recorded and posted for streaming or downloading to an MP3 player, dramatically increasing the audience or reach of the event, leveraging what might otherwise be a minor occurrence. Once posted, of course, it’s important to let people now the information is available, but that’s easily accomplished with an e-mail newsletter or simply an e-mail notice.
Thus, a campaign web site need not be static and boring. It can feature the latest news and information from the campaign, complete with audio and video of the candidate and supporters meeting people, delivering speeches, holding press conferences, receiving endorsements, etc. The addition of a campaign blog can also be worthwhile if done well with frequent posts.
As more and more Internet sites use audio and video, on-line readers/viewers will come to expect rich and varied experiences at a web site, not just static text information.
Local Watch
UAC Legislative Recap
The Utah Association of Counties will be holding a legislative wrap-up meeting on Thursday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the UAC office: "Come find out what you can expect in the way of new legislation and appropriations. See how your Legislators voted on bills of county issues. And get the scoop on some of the more controversial issues of the Session." For more info, click here.
New KCPW Web Site
KCPW Radio has a redesigned Web site that features a lot more online news, plus podcasts of radio segments. Click on the Read More link for a tour of new features.
Blog Watch
Sen. Curtis Bramble responds to his critics at The Good in Ogden -- scroll down to comments (see also here)... Senate candidate Pete Ashdown answers the question: Why bother to run as a Democrat in Utah?... The Utah Amicus spotlights congressional candidates Steve Olsen and Christian Burridge (see also here)... In response to the Draper/DI flap, Random Meanderings and Other Meaningless Blather asks: "[H]ow do we define ourselves within our own communities? What does your zip code say about you? What do you LET it say about you? What do you WANT it to say about you?"... Wilf Sommerkorn explores "the distinction (or lack of distinction) between legislative and administrative acts"... Social Justice Coalition believes a liberal miracle is unfolding in Washington County... The First Ring says of dark horse political candidates like Utahn Joe Labonte: "[I]t takes only one Jesse Ventura to -- for better or worse (pick mostly worse) -- inspire thousands of imitators to believe they’re only one dew-rag away from glory."
Washington Watch
Cannon: Develop Energy on Public Lands
In statement on the resignation of Interior Sec. Gale Norton, Rep Chris Cannon says: "I am looking forward to accomplishing major initiatives [with Norton's successor] such as the full funding of PILT, the opening of ANWR and the development of resources, especially energy, on our public lands" (see press release). |
