Mustang Daily multimedia coverage of the election

Posted on November 5, 2008 by Lauren Rabaino

We dedicated out front page to the election all day, with continuous updates as it all progressed.

An overview:

• Exit poll audio slideshow 8 a.m.
• Exit poll audio slideshow 1 p.m.
• Exit poll audio slideshow 4 p.m.
• Exit poll audio slideshow 8 p.m.
• 
  Democratic student response audio slideshow
• 
  Republican student response audio slideshow

We also had a live chat using CoverItLive.com which we kept open all night for students to talk about results as they came in. It was far more popular than I imagined it would be.

What I would change for next time:

• More video: both a live stream and edited
• More live updates as stats come in, using Twitter
• Live blogging

If I had a team of Webbies it would have been so much cooler. When you’re a one (wo)man band, it gets tough. I also had three other classes on election day, not to mention my second job as a graphic designer. There are some days I wish being online editor was my only responsibility. I didn’t leave the newsroom until 3 a.m..

But enough moping. I’m proud of the Daily’s coverage. I’m shocked that reporters were actually willing to do so much multimedia.

Why it worked

• Planning things ahead
• Sending reporters out in teams to do both reporting and multimedia editing
• Having as much stuff pre-made as possible

I’m glad to have been part of such a historical election. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.

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