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I hope you had a chance to watch the first ever CNN/YouTube debate last night. It was the most captivating debate I’ve ever seen.   CNN worked in some diverse questions from a wide array of people who kept the presidential candidates on their toes.

Being the media head that I am, I submitted questions for the debate, and also uploaded a post debate commentary to CNN’s I-Report. I’ve had the chance to meet a bunch folks at both CNN, and Turner Networks, and believe me; the company is very interested in integrating user generated content into its brand, and business model.

None of my debate questions were used, but to my surprise, I was watching CNN this morning and saw a clip from the commentary I submitted. You can see it listed among the other videos on the I-Report video page.

I’ll make one suggestion to the folks at I-Report (that’s you Lila). You should include embed codes for all of the submitted videos. I’m sure people would post their videos on their social networking pages if they could, and since all of the videos have that bold CNN logo and I-Report bug, it would only add to the number of eyeballs who see your citizen journalism site at work. If you’re going to do the social media thing you have to do it right.

One more thing,  Dave Lucas shares some great links to online debate articles.

by A.man.I

Alabama inmates who may be wrongfully incarcerated are being asked to contact the Georgia Innocence Project.

“There are now more than 200 Americans whom DNA evidence has proven innocent long after their convictions. Alabama is one of only two states not currently served by a regional or state Innocence Project, and we feel that justice in Alabama cannot wait another day,” said Aimee Maxwell, GIP Executive Director.

“Five years into the work of the Georgia Innocence Project, we feel we now have the structure in place to assist Alabama inmates.”

The Georgia Innocence project has successfully exonerated three Georgia inmates in recent years.  Clarence Harrison was freed in 2004 after serving 18 years; Robert Clark found freedom in 2005 after serving 25 years, and most recently Pete Williams was released from prison in February 2007, after spending 21 years of his life behind bars.  In the case of Clark and Williams, DNA testing not only helped free the men, but also led investigators to the true criminals.

GIP will investigate cases where DNA evidence not previously tested could prove innocence. Alabama inmates should write to: Georgia Innocence Project; 752½ North Highland Avenue; Atlanta, Georgia 30306. 

by A.man.I

Sources tell My Urban Report that the show once known as “Hot Ghetto Mess,” has been renamed, “We Got To Do Better,” and that producers are tweaking the first episode, and making last minute changes.  The program is still scheduled to debut this Wednesday night on BET.

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by A.man.I

NativeSon sounds off about FEMA’s toxic trailers.

BlackAgendaReport examines the killings in Darfur and the Congo.

GoingThroughTheMotions gives an inside perspective on the Genarlow Wilson case and legal hearings.

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CNN and YouTube is pushing the participatory media envelope, by featuring the first ever presidential debate that will feature questions submitted by the general public.

A representative at YouTube contacted me and asked me to submit some questions.  It looks like they may have been lacking diverse voices, so I grabbed my camera and went to work.

The Democratic debate airs on CNN Monday, July 23 at 7pm, and is hosted by Anderson Cooper.  I’ll be checking to see if any of my submissions make air.

by A.man.I

GENARLO WILSON’S APPEAL GOES BEFORE GEORGIA’S SUPREME COURT

The Georgia Supreme Court decided to speed up the appeal hearing for Genarlow Wilson. The Atlanta area man is serving a ten-year sentence for engaging in a sex act (oral sex to be specific) with a 15-year old teen when he was 17.

Wilson‘s attorney says the sentence is cruel and unusual punishment, and is fighting to get him released from prison.  Last month, a Superior Court judge reduced the sentence from a felony to a misdemeanor, which would have allowed Wilson to go free, but State Attorney Thurbert Baker appealed the decision, saying the judge went beyond his authority.

There have been several rallies, and protests in support of this young man’s fight for freedom.  Ten years in the big house for consensual sex with another teen!?  Wilson is reported to be an outstanding student and athlete – Seems kind of harsh.

Link to GA Supreme Court site
Link to Wilson’s site