Vloggers & Candidates: New Rules?

I fired off a post last night after, frankly, being jaw-droppingly shocked by the cozy interactions between the well-respected and popular vlog-team at Rocketboom and the John Edwards campaign.

But, then I got to thinking about where my surprise came from.  It's pretty simple.  I write a blog, but deep down I'm old-school when it comes to my thoughts about journalism is and, most especially, when it's journalism that touches public policy and politics.  (Not many kids want to be a press secretary when they grow up, but I did -- in 1976).

So maybe my gut-instinct response was unfair.

Maybe Everything Has Changed like we're told over and over again.

But, if the old, long-established rules don't work, what are the new rules?  Are there any?

And, if not, how does a vlog viewer appropriately filter for bias (if any)?  Or, should the viewers of vlogs have such a personal affinity and connection to their video purveyors of choice that they should just know and understand where their daily dose of information is coming from without any added context?

This is serious stuff.  Similar conversations generations ago eventually led to the creation of the Fairness Doctrine, personal attack and political editorial rules (all since done away with).

Anyway, it should be allowed that this is genuinely new ground and debate (and even mistakes) should be encouraged to help in finding our way in the next generation of political communications.

To this end, I posted an open-letter of sorts to Rocketboom's founder and producer Andrew Baron on a vlogger list-serv to drive the conversation.  It's after the jump. 

To his great credit, Baron took time from what has to be a very busy day to respond.  His response follows my note.

Feel free to tell me that I'm wrong or barking up the wrong tree.  I think we all want to learn at this interesting moment in time....

-S. Garrett

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I really think it's fantastic that Edwards' campaign had the forethought to include Rocketboom and Robert Scoble in their campaign launch activities.

And, I don't knock Rocketboom at all for trying to maximize this high profile opportunity. I'm a long-time viewer who roots for all the vlogger OGs.

However, I do wonder about the implications of a media company (Rocketboom) filming what is paramount to a campaign ad for a presidential candidate and then being the ones who actually physically post the clip to the official campaign account on YouTube.

This is then followed up by a friendly interview with the candidate posted to Rocketboom today.

Which will then be followed by Rocketboom producing Edwards footage to be used on the campaign's Web site.

After thinking about this for a night, I suppose Rocketboom should be able to do whatever it wants and not be constricted by old-school journalistic rules of engagement with public officials.

That said, if you change the rules, you should attempt to be clear about what the new ones are (or, at least, what you strive for). You just can't make them up as you go along for too long.

Therefore, is Rocketboom going to be working with the Edwards campaign for the long-haul? (Which would make it very easy for their viewers to filter the opinions on the show. It would also help prevent snarky comments from bloggers like me who intuitively assume that journalistic interactions with a presidential candidate are striving for objectivity).

Or is Rocketboom going to provide equal access and their production support to any presidential candidate who asks?

Knowing the above answers would provide substantial context to any viewer who may happen upon the Rocketboom interview with Edwards today.

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Re: [videoblogging] Re: John Edwards to Run for President (announcement on YouTube)

Hi Sean,thanks for the feedback.

Here are some thoughts:

Im not a journalist, Im a human being and I pick and choose to focus
on what I want.

And even though I will probably vote for him, I would be glad to help
other candidates too; I'm in to offering what I know to help level
the playing field in politics as the first objective.

Video and Web 2.0 politics gives people the chance to lift or drop
politicians based on what they see instead of what we hear via
interpretation.

The more video we get, the more we can decipher the facts and form an
opinion.

I hope to help establish the back-end systems to allow people to see
as much as they can so they can make their own decisions.

I also like the idea of enabling the politicians to take the media
into their own hands.

Even in my own field, if one of my "competitors" in videoblogging
reaches out with questions, I'll speak up and give my best answers
and offer sincere help.

I think Ive demonstrated that here even by offering up what others
would my industry secrets.

Thats just me, I dont see it as competition and believe a rising tide
lifts all boats.

Here are some specific thoughts on where I stand with the 2008
Elections.
http://www.dembot.com/010661.html

Drew

Comments

[Kevin Murphy]

Really excellent post Sean. I'm glad somebody is taking this debate in the right direction.

[Colon Cleanse Supplement]

I'm glad somebody is taking this debate in the right direction.