Welcome to the Covering Politics in Cyberspace Blog

With more than 18 months until Election Day 2008, it is already the most digitized election in U.S. history—with all the challenges and opportunities that distinction implies. Candidates have built their websites, hired (and fired) their bloggers, joined social networking communities and staked their virtual claims in Second Life.

More than 20 professional multi-platform journalists representing news organizations from throughout the U.S. are participating in a special seminar April 18-21 focused on the internet strategies of both political campaigns and the news organizations that are covering them. In addition, the Investigative Reporters and Editors will provide sessions on how watchdog “money and politics” journalism can be integrated into multimedia coverage.

A group of University of Southern California graduate students will blog the 4-day seminar, sharing what they hear and see from a perspective that includes their own insights as consumers of New Media and future journalists.

We welcome outside comment and questions that help keep the conversation on this important topic dynamic and on point.