Public Sector Archives
Hillary Declares
Hillary Clinton's announcement that she's officially running for President only confirms what followers of the political game have known for months, if not years. But as important as it is in affecting the course of the 2008 campaign, the manner in which she did so - via a video announcement and subsequent "conversation" at the self-declared "Hillary TV" section of her own website - is but the newest instance of a candidate using new channels to bypass traditional media and take her message directly to voters. In effect, Hillary is now her own TV network.
Social Networking and the 2008 Presidential Campaign
Will social networking sites be to the 2008 presidential campaign what blogs were to the 2004 campaign? For an intriguing look at the evolving relationship between candidates and their supporters, compare the MySpace pages of Democratic candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards.
The Continuing Broadband Video Evolution
Means for presenting effective video on the internet continue to evolve at a fast pace. Though only three years old, the US Defense Department's Pentagon Channel recently redesigned and relaunched its web interface with help from video solutions provider FeedRoom. For an example of the channel's unique perspective - news and information for a military audience from military broadcasters - watch A New Way Forward, the latest edition of original series RECON. This month's program provides a look back at Operation Together Forward and a look forward to the still-evolving new strategy for Iraq (video below).
A Mission Of Appreciation
One of the communications challenges facing some organizations is a desire to show support for the men and women of America's armed forces independent of individuals' feelings about the current conflict in Iraq. Click here to see how The Thank You Foundation of Ohio is facing this challenge head-on.
Campaigning in the YouTube Era
Power Line's John Hinderaker has an intriguing post here about the role that YouTube might play in the campaigns of Republican presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and John McCain.
Who Pays To Use Our Skies?
An important debate is going on in Congress concerning how the Federal Aviation Administration should be funded. Basically the arguments center around whether Congress should retain the existing system, which provides funds from excise taxes and from the general revenue fund, or move to an entirely new system of user fees. Though the outcome will greatly affect all users of our nation's skyways, it's also a glimpse into how funding debates concerning other federal agencies and industries might play out and how interested parties make their case using all available media. For an admittedly biased but comprehensive view of the issues involved, see this summary.
Exploring The US Army's Web Strategy
For an inside look into how the United States Army develops and implements its internet strategy, watch this interview from blogger and Forrester Researcher Jeremiah Owyang.
Ephemeral Networking
One under-reported (in my opinion) aspect of broadband video has been how the internet enables ad-hoc networks to spring up around time- or location-specific events. An entire channel devoted to G8 summit coverage is exactly the sort of promise (from a programming perspective) internet video is meant to fulfill and is a fantastic way for a micro-broadcaster to excel where the traditional networks and even cable news organizations fall short.
For Space Enthusiasts Everywhere
Given the ease with which video can be added to websites, many organizations are following the original model of cable television in appealing to ever-narrow but quantifiable audiences. One such example is SpaceFlight Now, which is aimed at the worldwide space enthusiast community. Always a one-stop source for all news about space, it's particularly valuable during Space Shuttle and other NASA missions.
Shameless Plug V
What is literacy these days? It used to be that being able to read and write made one literate. But since the advent of electronic media that's been redefined. For a contemporary examination of literacy in the digital age, follow The Literacy Post, the latest offering from writer and educator Colleen Carroll.