OMN News:
Open Media Network Helps Voters Quickly Understand Election Issues Through Audio and Video
California voters can download candidate statements and unbiased ballot proposition information at www.omn.org.
Palo Alto, CA – November 1, 2006—Open Media Network (OMN) today announced that it is helping California voters cut through campaign clutter by teaming with several highly-respected organizations to offer informative videos and podcasts on propositions and candidates, all in one place on the web. OMN, is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the best of public broadcasting and educational programming to the Internet via www.omn.org.
Among the organizations with whom OMN is working is the Center for Governmental Studies (CGS) a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that studies and helps implement innovative approaches to improving civic engagement and the political process. One of CGS’ initiatives is producing VideoVoter.org and Voter Minutes, which are short-form non-partisan video summaries on California’s ballot measures. OMN is making the Voter Minutes available in order to help voters in their decision making process.
Additionally, OMN is working with the cable industry-sponsored California Channel, producer of the Free Airtime Project, which brings on-camera interviews and statements to voters from statewide California candidates from all political parties.
“As always, California voters are facing a barrage of rhetoric by candidates and conflicting campaign arguments about ballot propositions,” said Mike Homer, founder of OMN. “By providing one location with non-partisan audio and video programming we hope Californians will be able to easily gain access to knowledge that makes them confident and informed voters.”
Viewers can start browsing and watching the election content by going to www.omn.org/Fall06Election.html. Open Media Network uses the Internet to bring online audiences high-quality, educational programming. It provides its service free of charge to other non-profit and service institutions while utilizing the most advanced video and audio delivery technology available. Programming is delivered in full DVD quality and can be enjoyed on a variety of devices, including notebook computers, portable media players, cell phones and set top boxes.
Election content available on OMN’s free Internet Viewer includes:
- KQED’s The California Report on propositions and statewide offices - Audio
- KQED Forum with Michael Krasny on propositions and statewide offices - Audio
- PBS’s NOW with David Brancaccio on a range of election and voting issues and trends - Video
- California Channel’s Free Airtime Project candidate statements and interviews - Video
- VideoVoter’s Voter Minutes on propositions 1A-1E, and 83-89 - Video
About Open Media Network:
OMN is a public service dedicated to bringing "media that matters" to the public via the Internet. It gives viewers easy TV Guide®-like access to previously hard-to-find content created by public broadcasters, educational institutions, non-profits and community-based organizations. Based on Verisign's advanced media delivery technology, OMN provides free and paid audio and video downloads in HD- or DVD-quality. It lets viewers watch their programs on their computers or take their personal OMN libraries mobile.
More information can be found at www.omn.org.
About the Center for Governmental Studies:
The Center for Governmental Studies (CGS) creates innovative political and media solutions to help individuals participate more effectively in their communities and governments. CGS uses research, advocacy, information technology and education to improve the fairness of governmental policies and processes, empower the underserved to participate more effectively in their communities, improve communication between voters and candidates for office, and help implement effective public policy reforms. More information can be found at www.cgs.org.
About The California Channel
The mission of The California Channel is to create an electronic bridge
between Californians and their elected officials, and, in the process, recruit and educate a new generation of voting citizens and civic leaders who are knowledgeable about the functions and activities of state government. Out programming goal is to enhance public understanding of the political process, promote public awareness of the issues, and encourage public involvement in the political, economic and social structure of the state.
More information can be found at www.calchannel.com.
Press Contacts:
Krause Taylor Associates for Open Media Network
Shanee Ben-Zur
408.918.9083 direct
408.918.9080 main
shanee@krause-taylor.com
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