WHAT THEY DID RIGHT, WRONG, AND MISSED
Todd Heisler/The New York Times
The New York Times says it starts coverage of the DNC at 7pm EST. but in reality the REAL live blogging didn’t hit off until the end of VP Biden’s speech.
For better or for worse the editors, staffers, and blogging experts of the Times barely skimmed over speeches made by Scarlett Johansson, Caroline Kennedy, and Eva Longoria (just to name a few). Albeit I understand the ‘celebrity’ aspect Scarlett and Eva brought to the conference might not have been a Clint Eastwood spectacle.
But their speeches mattered.
They spoke to a generation that’s desolate about what their futures might hold, students that are caving under loans and interest rates, and women who don’t want ownership of their bodies questioned or disputed. The Times lack of acknowledgement was disappointing to me and anyone else that was following them along since 7!
They did get some things right though. They updated regularly once President Obama came on. Most times taking a little over 5 minutes to catch up with the live feed (annoying, but understandable). Something I learned I have a love-hate relationship with was the effusive commentary.
Following any event on Twitter, especially the DNC, means you get a bit of wit and the facts all under 140 characters. Following the DNC through live blog is a lot different. The editors expressed their opinions thoroughly. It took some getting used to.
MULTIMEDIA – GRADE A
The NY TIMES has a nice post-DNC multimedia roundup.
I looked through a few multimedia pieces because it took me a while to find the 3rd day roundup. I enjoyed them all. The Times knows how to vet what images or video are worth their own piece. The images of DNC- backstage were great, the black and white really gave it a serious, thought provoking mood. The images of the last day of the DNC showed movement and emotion, which is what the speakers and President Obama wanted to provoke.
4 responses so far ↓
elizabeth griffin // Sep 9th 2012 at 9:20 pm
Well I think that the reason that they didn’t say much on what the stars said it’s because what they say doesn’t hold much weight. I agree that they should have mentioned more but when it comes down to it celebrities are used by presidents for advertisement and not because they have something particularly brilliant to say. As I said I agree it’s a shame but celebrities are not a great concern to politicians and by extension not a great concern for the New York Times. Now if it was Reagan then their opinions would have probably been more relevant but that’s just how I see it.
ra125058 // Sep 10th 2012 at 5:58 pm
I agree with you that the New York Times is pretty good in their multimedia side. They always have this intensity to pull the affective images to add into their pieces. However, I would like to know, why you think the Times are using only the images that are provocative?
Vivian // Sep 10th 2012 at 6:36 pm
Elizabeth, I get what you’re saying in regards to celebrities in general being used as advertisement, but these in particular really weren’t. Eva Longoria is a a Campaign Co-Chair of President Obama’s re-election campaign and has been taking on grassroots initiatives in regards to immigration, education, and women’s issue. Caroline Kennedy, daughter of JFK, has been active in politics and like almost every Kennedy her endorsement for any politician will weigh heavily. Plus, Caroline drew the resemblance between her dad and Pres. Obama, which was major. Scarlett Johansson might fall into the celebrity category that you explained, but at the same time they bring in the youth vote. Which might seem superficial, but true.
Rumi, I think a lot of it has to do with the picture they want to paint. If they put in bland pictures that were static and 2d, then it would take away from the overall experience. As a reader you’re drawn into their pieces.
Brooklyn Brit // Sep 11th 2012 at 8:48 pm
I didn’t watch the live feed so this catch up was useful. It seems to have been a frustrating exercise. Your round up has definitely made me glad that I stuck to watching the coverage on TV, with just a little twitter chat with like minded friends and social commentators to add to the mix.
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