NextGenWeb has been keeping busy at the Democratic Convention and made sure to make room in the schedule for the “Two Million Strong and Growing” panel discussion hosted by the New Democratic Network. The panel addressed the role that new media has begun to play in politics and campaigns, especially during this election cycle. Broadband is bringing the democratic process directly to Americans for the first time in history at this prominent level. It is allowing citizens to organize like never before, optimizing political participation.

The most interesting point in this debate is that broadband is a necessity for these new media applications to thrive, yet the network is so often forgotten in the discussion. Sites like my.barackobama.com are revolutionary for their ability to bring together mass amounts of people with a common goal, and provide them the avenues through which to start their own blog, join groups, fundraise, and so much more. But without the network, none of this would be possible.

New media is not only changing politics, but its changing everyday life for millions of Americans. At an increasing rate, people are turning away from traditional media sources such as print, television or radio, and instead choosing the more personalized approach to media that you can get online. None of this would be possible without robust broadband networks.

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