Times are Changin'

The 2006 mid-term election highlighted the effects of “new media.” For instance, Senate candidate George Allen’s particularly bad moment infiltrated the internet and ultimately helped him lose.

But, without YouTube and the blogosphere, how would have Allen’s “Macaca Moment,” and other stories perpetuated by blogs (ie Mark Foley), spread so far so fast?

In We the Media, Dan Gillmor describes this “new media” and its effects. One of the biggest effects is that people who were once merely among the audience can now be the broadcasters of news and information. Anyone can start and maintain a blog and anyone can sign up for a YouTube account.

But what does this have to do with times changing? Well, people with different backgrounds than the journalists of CNN, FOX News, NY Times, Washington Post, etc, can disseminate information and their opinions via the internet. Not only are there websites for conservatives/liberals respectively, but there are blogs from the perspective of wives, young adults, fashion addicts and other niches. This expands the viewpoints we can learn of and from, which in turn widens our view of subjects and issues.

We are also able to receive pertinent information that the mainstream media may not be the best medium to give. People may be near a TV when CNN is showing a video of a politician doing something stupid, but with the internet, those who miss the CNN viewing can access the video when they are free to watch it.

But, be reasonable and responsible! Don’t believe everything you read…

Going on with the idea of anyone contributing, here are a few programs sponsored by mainstream media sources to engage audience members... or to seemingly desire the input of the audience:

1. Send in investigative videos, ask “tough questions” or utilize iCaught at ABC

2. Comment on the Tampa Bay Buzzblog

3. Ask a Presidential Candidate a question via the CNN YouTube debates

Fred Thompson is doing something similar… ask him a question and he’ll answer it via a video on his website. But now I must provide this link and encourage you to use it.

On a departing note,



is more dangerous an offensive than



????!!!!