Saturday, February 2, 2008

My introduction to podcasting

I consider myself to be fairly current on what’s happening in technology. Before this assignment, for instance, I knew about podcasts, but I had never actually listened to one. So my first podcast download was an interview with Lidia Bastianich on “One on One with Victor Hogstrom,” a locally produced Kansas City PBS show. My experience with the podcast was good. It consists of audio of the TV show in its entirety. Therefore, I can see it being used as a way for regular show viewers to catch up on missed episodes, or people who are busy during the show’s timeslot can now listen to the program at their leisure. On the other hand, the show might consider changing the online content to include additional features and interviews that can’t be seen on TV. With that change, both regular viewers and podcast-only listeners are likely to be driven to the site.

In an introduction to podcasting reading from the “How Stuff Works” site, I was very interested to find out that podcasts don’t have to comply with Federal Communications Commission rules. I think the government should be allowed to filter indecent material on podcasts just as it does on the radio. Don’t get me wrong; I value free speech, but I think decency in material posted on the Web, even in the form of podcasts, should be a top priority, too.

Additionally, I think podcasts open opportunity for unique content to be tailored to unique audiences. Podcasts are another way for individuals to create online communities and share information. With the availability of more content, the strategic communications industry changes along with journalism. Now, public relations and advertising professionals have new chances to reach audiences with their messages.

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