Monday’s election was a whole new, almost exciting experience for me.
It was the first time during an election I used the Internet’s capability for nearly instantaneous information updates to translate that information to readers.
While other News Bulletin and Black Press affiliate reporters were out in the field with the candidates awaiting results, I was in the cave at 777 Poplar St., glued to my computer screen. With about six web-browser windows open, as well as CBC Radio streaming live, I was as on top of the local – and national – vote results as I’ve ever been.
A few times, my pulse even jumped above its usual resting rate (of course, that could have been due to over-intake of caffeine and sugar).
For those not keeping tabs on the News Bulletin’s website on election night, we were providing up-to-date results for both Nanaimo-Cowichan and Nanaimo-Alberni, with a bit of national results tossed in for good measure, throughout the early going once the B.C. polls closed at 7 p.m.
That meant my job, aside from co-ordinating the information from our various field reporters, was monitoring the Elections Canada website (it refreshed automatically every 90 seconds, though not always with fresh numbers), and relaying that data to online readers.
I figure I posted about 20-25 updates over the first 90 minutes after polls closed.
CBC Radio’s broadcast was streaming simply because I’m a news nerd, and I also had our sister paper sites from around the region open just in case they posted information I wasn’t aware of.
Without knowing how many people were following us on election night, it’s hard to gauge the impact of our efforts at immediacy, but it worked well according to at least one reader.
First thing Tuesday morning, one of our sales reps stopped on her way past my office to let me know we were way ahead of everyone on the local results. While being first isn’t as important to me as being accurate, when we can get both it’s a victory.
With our continually evolving web presence (we’re already web-first for much of our content, with only the biggest news scoops held back to avoid tipping our hand to the competition, meaning there’s fresh news on our website every few hours, every day of the week) and improving capability to post content online, our election coverage will also continue to evolve.
One thing I’d like to see more of is reader participation.
Our website’s commenting capability, powered by Disqus, presents an opportunity like never before for interaction between readers (voters) and the candidates.
There is no reason, especially with candidates getting more and more savvy with web technology and social media, there can’t be a real conversation online about issues that matter between readers and the candidates.
And because our stories stay ‘live’ for weeks, the conversation can develop throughout the campaign. All we need is interested readers who get hip to the possibilities, and candidates who are also willing to participate.
It does present a time commitment, but it also presents candidates with an incredible opportunity to reach out to countless voters – far more than a traditional all-candidates meeting – with their message, and also to actually engage them in a discussion, rather than address them with a speech.
And all it takes is a few minutes, a few times a day, to check the stories and related conversations and see what’s developing.
With more elections looming this year – provincial possibly, municipal definitely – keep looking to the News Bulletin to provide the best information about your community, and the best opportunities to join the conversation.
P.S. This was Emergency Preparedness Week. Did you get your emergency kit together?