Posts Tagged ‘Politico’

White House to Web 2.0: not so fast

A story on Politico.com last week is worth noting.

The White House Counsel has informed the new Obama administration that many of the social networking tools that they used to have a quick-on-its-feet successful political campaign cannot be used inside the President’s bubble.

During the campaign, AOL Instant Messenger and Google Chat were in constant use to quickly spread information through the far-flung staff. But with the concerns about security and the legal ramifications regarding the content of those posts needing to be archived and part of the public record, there is no IM in the White House.

Even though it sounds like a problem with lawyers run amok, the IM situation should give pause to all of us about the security of social networking tools, and any liability exposure we have when using them. Its all about the law keeping up with ever changing technology.

The MSNBC Meltdown

It’s the cable news channel of the network that began with radio pioneer David Sarnoff; once led by news lions with names such as Swayze, Huntley, Brinkley, and Chancellor. It’s a team still reeling from the deep loss of mentor and rudder Tim Russert. And last week, the lid blew off at MSNBC.

What started as blatant boosterism for Barack Obama during the Democratic Primaries has degenerated into open arguing, attacks, and behind-the-scenes chaos. In significant reporting by the non-partisan Politico, high-ranking MSNBC staffers have forecasted an explosion, with the fire coming from disagreement and drama as personalities like Keith Olbermann have attempted to lead the network in the position as the “anti-Fox News.” It seems that Olbermann’s ego is bigger than Invesco Field at Mile High; he reportedly refused to appear on a media dias with NBC standard bearer, Tom Brokaw. In one episode at the DNC, Olbermann dissed political partner Chris Matthews.

You know you’ve got a problem with perceptions when Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell says that Fox News is the most objective network, and that MSNBC “was the official network of the Obama campaign.”

Folks, we aren’t talking about pundits and talking heads here; these guys are supposedly impartial anchors. I really can’t remember a time where the serenity of the anchor desk was violated by such animosity. Wow.

Good night, David…good night, Chet!!