Yesterday the Washington Post ran a front page story entitled, “Muscling a Web Site into a Social Movement” that very much heralds a new era for politics, government and the media. Bloggers are changing dramatically how we receive the news and consequently are reshaping the entire political landscape (along with talk radio of course).
I was involved in conservative political issues years ago and one spent every waking minute trying to get the local newspaper or TV station to do a tiny bit on your issue so that the public could be made aware. Once the public was informed, there could be real debate on whatever political changes were sought. When there was fair and open debate, democracy could work. You might lose, but at least democracy could work.
The media held the key, no media attention and the door to democratic debate did not open.
The Post article, which you should all read, discusses the incredible impact one blog and one blogger has had on the political landscape in Northern Virginia on the subject of illegal immigration.
Here is what the Post had to say about Greg Letiecq and his blog, “Black Velvet Bruce Li”:
Since April, Letiecq has used his blog to sign up more than 500 members for his anti-illegal immigrant organization, Help Save Manassas, quickly building it into one of the region’s most effective social movements. He and his group researched, facilitated and wrote parts of the illegal-immigration resolution that Prince William officials adopted this month, working with the Washington-based Immigration Reform Law Institute.
The resolution — approved unanimously July 10 — seeks to deny services to illegal immigrants and sharply increase immigration enforcement by police.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/21/AR2007072101355.html
Slowly but surely we are kissing the old media goodbye and going directly to the people.