Obama continues transparent government theme with weekly YouTube series
By Leslie Poston
Perhaps taking his cue from the Queen of England being on YouTube, Obama has continued his transparent government theme by starting a new weekly address series on YouTube. He plans to keep the nation apprised of his decisions prior to taking office in January, as well as details on how the transition is going.
In his first weekly address on YouTube using his new ChangedotGov channel, he spoke of the global economic crisis, the steps the exiting administration is taking to be part of the resolution (specifically referencing the G20 summit in Europe) and how he plans to continue the efforts when he takes office. Personally, I found it very reassuring over all in the face of such a massive shift in the economy of the world.
In fact, I find the idea of a short weekly update I can subscribe to and then reply to on YouTube highly effective as far as reassurance goes. In such tumultuous times, it’s good to hear on a consistent basis that someone is paying attention and working to solve a problem as large as this. I find the concept of brief weekly updates much more effective than the usual televised State of the Union style addresses as well – it fits in nicely with my technology-based online news reading.
I have heard rumblings from some who aren’t as comfortable with technology that they don’t like the videos being on YouTube and not regular television, though they do appear to be available on the radio. I’d be interested to see if the videos could be re-aired on television somehow, perhaps in a joint effort with Al Gore’s Current TV or on a channel like PBS. That way those who are offline can also benefit from the information and reassurance of the broadcasts. I was unable to find any plans for such a mash-up between the ChangeDotGov YouTube channel and regular television in a search, but I think it should be considered sooner, rather than later, so Obama doesn’t accidentally cause his less technical supporters to feel disenfranchised.
(The Queen’s channel on YouTube is here)
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