DENVER: A record number of bloggers have been credentialed as members of the media for the 2008 Democratic National Convention (DNC) which kicked off yesterday at the Pepsi Center. Bloggers credentialed by the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) have access to a dedicated “Blogger Lounge” inside the Pepsi Center, equipped with televisions, technology resources and workspace to facilitate their reporting. All bloggers will have access to the convention floor, press briefing areas, caucus meetings, filing centers and other auxiliary events open to members of the media.
“Today, we are shattering the standard we set just four years ago, when the 2004 Democratic Convention was the first to credential blogs. This year, we will more than triple the number of blogs credentialed to witness history in the making,” said Aaron Myers, director of online communications for the DNCC.
Altogether, the DNCC has credentialed more than 120 blogs for the convention and many more individuals will blog at the convention via credentials issued through the US Congressional Press Galleries. The complete list of credentialed blogs can be found at DemConvention.com/credentialed-blogs.
The convention itself is expected to be the most technologically-savvy event of its kind. Anchoring the convention’s technology offerings is the official website, DemConvention.com. In addition to traditional content such as video highlights and full text of convention speeches, the 2008 convention website will feature an exclusive daily convention preview program, behind-the-scenes blog posts, pictures and video uploaded by convention attendees and citizens across the country, an aggregated feed from an unprecedented blogger pool and much more. And, in a first for a political convention, the DNCC will offer live, gavel-to-gavel, streaming video coverage in HD at DemConvention.com. Microsoft’s Silverlight platform will give viewers with the ability to individually tailor their convention experiences by selecting their desired camera angles.
A series of daily webcasts, “Countdown to America’s Future,” will focus on exclusive interviews and nightly convention previews. “America’s Town Hall” will virtually throw open the doors to the convention hall by inviting individuals across the US to submit text and video questions at DemConvention.com/townhall. Elected leaders and national policy experts will respond directly to voters’ questions live from the convention floor and online throughout the week. Through a partnership with YouTube, convention-goers will also be able to share their perspectives by uploading photos and video at kiosks inside the Pepsi Center.