YouTube Debate: Online Social Media + CNN Rocks my vote!

Last night’s Democratic debate on CNN featured a group user-submitted questions from a little website called YouTube. Over 3000+ videos were submitted from Real People, some silly however with costumes, screaming children and musical interludes. 39 videos made the cut and the questions were vast; the war in Iraq, Darfur, global warming and healthcare.

There have been a few complaints about CNN being selective- picking only sensational videos and being a gatekeeper of questions. Well, isn’t that the duty of news? Isn’t this better than the clean and glassy way questions are usually asked? IMO, yes. The debates were real and even entertaining at times. I personally felt more connected seeing real people talk about issues that affected them, rather the polished Anderson Cooper asking all the questions. The debate was authentic and personal, something many campaigns (especially political debates) usually lack.

For me this was a pretty amazing night. The younger generation is getting a chance to get involved in a way they understand. Hopefully there were other Gen Y’ers like me interested and appreciative of the YouTube approach. But, for more than just Gen Y, I think this a stepping-stone for the way social and big media interact. Online media is not slowing down, and sure CNN was still the gatekeeper, but this is a landmark news station joining forces with the infantile social video site. User-generated content cannot be ignored and I give props to CNN for starting a new trend and implementing an exciting change.

BTW, if you’re interested the Republican YouTube debate is in September.