Bloggers
to Receive Unprecedented Access,
Connect Diverse Communities to Historic Event
Progressive
Community to Provide Additional Workspace,
Resources for Bloggers During Convention Week
DENVER - As part of its continuing commitment to
engage a broad spectrum of audiences in new and creative ways, the
Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced that a
record number of blogs have been credentialed as members of the media
for the 2008 Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center in
Denver, Colo. These blogs will help ensure that communities across the
country are connected to the Convention through the eyes and ears of a
growing, diverse group of online voices.
Organizers also announced that blogs credentialed by the DNCC will 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.
"Since we began planning, one goal has been at the core of all our
efforts: to engage as many communities as possible in the Convention
experience. We're excited to provide bloggers with the opportunity to
be the eyes and ears of so many at this Convention," said Aaron Myers,
Director of Online Communications for the DNCC. "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."
The credentialed blogs represent a large and diverse collection of
voices and perspectives. The pool includes blogs covering national,
state and local politics and those
representing a variety of groups including the African American,
Latino, Asian American, Native American and LGBT communities. Blogs
focusing on youth issues, women's issues, labor issues, disability
issues as well as those focusing on the environment and communities of
faith will also be credentialed among many others.
In addition to resources provided to credentialed bloggers, the DNCC is
working with ProgressNow, The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado,
DailyKos and The Wright Group to finalize plans for the "Big Tent" - a
headquarters away from home for hundreds of progressive bloggers,
netroots organizers and non-profit representatives from across the
country. The facility, just a few blocks from the Pepsi Center, will
provide additional workspace for journalists and bloggers as well as a
main stage with events and entertainment that will be open to the
public during Convention week.
"We are proud to cooperate with the DNCC to ensure that for the first
time, so many citizen journalists will have the tools and access they
need to cover a national Convention," said Bobby Clark, Deputy Director
of ProgressNow. "The progressive movement really is a 'Big Tent', and
we think this unique event will be a huge hit with bloggers, non-profit
leaders, and even some members of the professional media."
In 2004, the DNCC credentialed about 30 blogs to cover the Convention
in Boston - the first Convention to credential bloggers. Recently, the
DNCC announced that 55 blogs focused on
state and local politics were selected to be members
of the DemConvention
State Blogger Corps. Altogether, the
DNCC will credential more than 120 blogs for the Convention and many
more individuals will blog the Convention via credentials issued
through the U.S. Congressional Press Galleries.
The complete list of blogs credentialed to date can be found at
www.DemConvention.com/credentialed-blogs.
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