You may have noticed that when we describe The Daily Signal, we refer to it as a “multimedia” news organization. That’s because there’s not just one way to tell a story or cover an issue. Sometimes, the best way is via the written word and photos. Other times, it is through a series of information graphics or a produced video.
You see, we strive to take advantage of any platform that allows us to reach and communicate with more and more Americans. That’s why this past year we started “going live” on Facebook.
With nothing more than an iPhone camera and a couple of microphones, we can bring you live video from just about anywhere. You and millions of other Facebook viewers can be there with us via your laptop, phone, or similar device.
When we went live at a post-election student protest at George Washington University in November, more than 177,000 of you watched us interview several students about the election and the Electoral College.
Your positive feedback, in particular about the student from Raleigh, North Carolina, who was quite knowledgeable about the Electoral College, led us to excerpt that interview and share it as a standalone video. It became our most watched video of 2016, with almost 1.5 million views.
The Daily Signal’s Genevieve Wood interviews a student at George Washington University about the Electoral College.
We first went live on April 5 of this year as Facebook rolled out the product to its users. Since then, we have done so over 230 times.
One of our most popular occurred when we went live outside the new headquarters of Planned Parenthood to expose the hypocrisy of an organization celebrating its 100th birthday when it is responsible for ensuring tens of millions of unborn Americans never see their first birthday. Over 160,000 of you, and counting, watched that video.
More than 170,000 watched our interview in front of the Victims of Communism Memorial where conservative historian and Heritage Foundation scholar Lee Edwards reacted to news that one-third of millennials believe President George W. Bush killed more people than Joseph Stalin. The story revealed widespread ignorance about communism and its history.
We’ve also taken our cameras on the road to bring you interviews you’re not likely to see from other media outlets.
Facebook invited The Daily Signal to broadcast live from its studio at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. On set, The Daily Signal’s Genevieve Wood interviews Hot Air editor Ed Morrissey, as Heritage’s Ory Rinat monitors from the control booth. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)
Those interviews gave you an opportunity to hear directly from public officials such as Republican Gov. Paul LePage of Maine about how his state has become a model for welfare reform and Republican Gov. Phil Bryant of Mississippi about why he stood up for religious liberty in his state.
But we also took our cameras to Hollywood to talk with leaders in the entertainment industry about why family-friendly movies are gaining ground in Hollywood. And we had the opportunity to interview singer, actress, and American icon Dolly Parton about why she believes it is so important that more entertainment programming highlight faith and family.
And then there was our coverage from the Republican and Democrat conventions this summer. Daily Signal Editor-in-Chief Rob Bluey and I gave a behind-the-scenes tour of the GOP convention in Cleveland, and our colleagues, Digital Strategy Director Ory Rinat and Senior News Producer Kelsey Harkness, gave you a similar view from the Democrat convention floor in Philadelphia.
The Daily Signal’s Rob Bluey and Melissa Quinn shared their perspective with a live Facebook audience from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
While in Cleveland, The Daily Signal’s studio was located steps from CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and other media outlets. Over the course of four days, we interviewed 19 prominent Republicans about what was taking place at the Quicken Loans Arena across the street.
Back at our headquarters inside The Heritage Foundation’s Freedom Center on Capitol Hill, we bring you live video content from our new TV studio almost every day, sometimes multiple times a day. We’ve found it’s an effective way to bring you instant news and analysis from Heritage experts, elected officials, and others who influence the public policy debate.
Such interviews have spanned the gamut. From Heritage scholar Peter Brookes on the threat of terrorism to Hollywood actress Sam Sorbo on the benefits of homeschooling to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on the principles of Trumpism.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., speaks to The Daily Signal’s Genevieve Wood. Blackburn was one of 19 newsmakers to visit The Daily Signal’s studio at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)
It’s been a privilege to interview so many of these people, and to be honest, a good deal of fun, too.
But what matters most is whether our audience finds this work of value. The increase we’ve seen in viewership suggests you have. In 2015, views of Daily Signal videos totaled roughly 4.5 million. This year, we’ve topped 25 million views. More than a quarter of those were from our live productions.
Your support of The Daily Signal and The Heritage Foundation makes all this possible. Here’s to making 2017 our best year yet.