Politician, Bloggers, Journalists, Oh My!

In Beckett's Chapter 3 discussion he basically formulates, argues and explains why the ultimate goal of Networked Political Journalism is to address the loss of public trust in the media, promote civic engagement and restore faith in American politics.
How?, one might ask.
Well, Beckett believes that "networked news practices offer journalists the potential to get more things right by being connected to and corrected by the public" (100). In other words, journalism would still remain in its professional manner, but its forum would allow a more conversational piece that includes the public realm. Here the public can be part of the agenda setting process, and donate, comment and correct any information presented as well. This combination of new and old media allows for more public discourse among the American population in choosing the best candidate.
Why should politicians accept this new wave of campaigning?
Well, Beckett makes several solid points in reasoning with politicians in joining the technology train. For example, Beckett discusses the Lamont victory in the primary that "showed that netroot activism has the power to mount dangerous challenges to incumbents who would have previously considered themselves safe" (96). Additionally, those who did not have the financial support to run a solid campaign would be able too via the Internet, through chatrooms and blogs, and therefore create a foundation that turns numbers into dollars.
Take this for example on politicians, campaigning, popularity and YouTube...
Finally, speaking of dollars. What about the global future of Networked Journalism? Well, Beckett discusses this idea in a country that is not as "finacinally sound" or technologically advanced as the United States; Africa. While they need aid to acquire this new forum, Africa first needs to define political "ownership" of its media sources and educate the masses in this innovative communication method so it becomes useful and successful as a new medium. The fragile, liberated, complex and poor states that make up the country need to specialize this Western phenomenom that will cater to their specific financial, social and economic development.



QUESTIONS:

• "How bloggers or other formulators of Networked Journalism going to get in and connect with these political heads or leaders the way these long-standing mainstream journalists have been doing for years? How are they going to rebuild the trust between politician and the new media?
• Do you think the internet will portray politicians in the same fashion as celebrities or will there be a new code of conduct?
• How are audiences supposed to believe what they are seeing on audio/video clip is true? Here's a video discussing one thought...
• If 60 percent of Americans believe that TV networks are biased (90), how do you suggest that both sides be delivered in fairness online? Or maybe a better question, how are online conversations going to pose less bias? Are Americans educated enough to acknowlege the difference in this new forum?
• Beckett says “there is only one tool, one platform, one medium that allows the American people to take their government back, and that’s the Internet” (91), do you think this idea could lead to online voting? What do you think of digitalizing one’s voting privileges?
• What are your thoughts on civic responsibility versus civic laziness in-line with Networked Journalism?
• With the new media and politics, will the little things that they do overshadow their big ideas?
• Beckett talks about the “attempts to cohere, if not corporatize, the blogosphere” (100), but wouldn’t that be forming the same mainstream media, just in a different medium?