'Chicago Defender' first black newspaper to offer video podcasts

(June 19, 2006) The Chicago Defender's executive editor, Roland Martin (left), announced today that the Chicago Defender has launched the Chicago Defender Inside Black America Video Podcast on www.chicagodefender.com.

The Defender, after its centennial year, becomes the first black newspaper in the nation to take advantage of this new technology after being the first to launch an audio podcast in May 2005.  It is no coincidence that the launch date falls on Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

"The time has come when African Americans are emancipated from the shackles of technology," Martin said. "For far too long we've had to play catch up in this regard, and this is something that we refuse to accept. We want to drive home the importance of African Americans using technology, and by using our tremendous platform will help us close the digital divide, and then I'm confident we will be able to do so."

After using cutting edge technology with audio podcasting for over a year, the Chicago Defender staff writers and editors will take that same format and technology to generate and conduct timely interviews with newsmakers and noteworthy individuals that used to be limited to the newspaper and audio podcasting and place it in video format for its audience.

The first Chicago Defender Inside Black Video Podcast features Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. The first female head-of-state in modern day Africa spoke at the DuSable Museum of African American History during her first visit to the city in May 2006.

"Our goal is to be the leading news and information source for African Americans in Chicago," says Martin.  "In researching consumer trends, we believe that the video podcasting will attract a younger demographic who are avid Internet users and appeal to our current audiences advanced needs and wants.  In addition, it will expand the content that is used in the Defender, broaden the horizon and continue to create a unique experience for our customers locally, nationally and across the world."

According to a 2005 study released by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, "more than 22 million American adults own iPods or MP3 players and more than 29% of them continue to download podcasts from the Web."

And according to a May 2006 study by Pew, African Americans lead the nation in terms of access broadband technology, which allows for data to be transmitted online at a faster rate. While broadband purchases increased 40% overall in 2005, for African Americans it was 121%.

"As African Americans continue to access broadband technology, they will be looking for content to serve their needs, and we believe our news and information video podcast will fill the void."

In addition, the Chicago Defender has partner with WVON-AM/1450 in Chicago to launch the "Get Connected" Initiative. The two media entities sponsor free monthly computer and Internet training classes with Malcolm X College, a member institution of the City Colleges of Chicago.

Defender Executive Editor Roland S. Martin is the host of "The Roland S. Martin Show" on WVON.

You can subscribe to The Chicago Defender Inside Black America Video Podcast by inputting the following URL: http://www.chicagodefender.com/podcast/rssvideo.xml.

To view via your web browser: http://www.chicagodefender.com/media/TestVideoBarrow.mp4.



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