Have our habits and expectations as digital consumer really altered the way we consume political news or and information? Have they altered the way media organizations deliver the news? Who do we trust the most to deliver our political news and information every day? How will political media continue to change in 2011?
These questions are behind a series of interviews I conducted this winter with people I know and trust in the media space and have pulled together in a series of profiles called The Brave New World of Political Information. This week, I profile Robert Traynham, host of Roll Call TV.
Robert Traynham – Roll Call TV
Robert Traynham has been a part of the Washington political scene for over fifteen years and was consistently ranked as one of the most powerful staffers on Capitol Hill during his tenure in government.
In 2007, Traynham joined the cable channel, The Comcast Network, as its Washington DC Bureau Chief. Traynham helped launch “Roll Call with Robert Traynham,” a weekly Sunday political talk show produced with the renowned political newspaper publication, Roll Call. Traynham serves as the host and moderator for the program. Traynham also serves as a Political Analyst for National Public Radio and as a weekly Columnist for the Philadelphia Tribune.
What is the first publication, show, blog, or site that you turn to in the morning for news and information? Why?
I look at several blogs and several news publications in the morning. First and foremost I must confess, I read the Drudge Report the first thing in the morning. The reason why is because I think Drudge does a pretty good job. Knowing he’s a little more right leaning, he does a pretty good job of summarizing the news – at least the headlines. He typically links you to a legitimate news site, whether it’s the Washington Post or the New York Times, etc.
I also will take a look at RollCall.com and Politico. Because its clearly in the news, I take a look at wikileaks, the Huffington Post and occasionally I’ll take a look at some other blog out there if in fact there’s something germinating in the news.
How has Roll Call TV changed in the last two years?
Roll Call TV started off as a really small public affairs program that aired on the Comcast network, Sunday evenings at 8 o’clock. It still continues to air on the Comcast network at 8pm, but it’s also available in 24 million Comcast homes all across the country – on demand.
In addition to that, the caliber of our guests has changed for the good. We’ve gone to both political conventions – we went to Minneapolis, we also went to Denver. We’ve had everyone from Hilary Clinton to John McCain, to Megan McCain on the show. We’ve also had some other celebrities and politicians. We pride ourselves on trying to be as relevant as we possibly can every single week. We also pride ourselves on being non-partisan. We could care less what your political affiliation is, the only thing we care about is that you have an opinion and that you’re able to come onto the show and defend that opinion.
What is the biggest challenge in the new media era?
Keeping up. There’s so much information out there. I have an iPad, I have a Mac, and I also have a PC desktop. I feel like as much as I’m connected to the world, I’m not connected. I simply cannot keep up with everything that’s coming at me in so many shapes and forms – apps on your iPad, iPhone, and PDA. You also have the 24-hour news cycle through the major networks. Blogs and other websites. It’s similar to drinking water out of a fire hose.
What kinds of “new media” literacies do the current generation of media producers need to survive?
Truth be told I don’t think we know the answer to that yet. I think there is some person out there half my age in a dorm eating cold pizza, working on the next Facebook, Twitter or social media site.
Where do you want your publication/office to be a year from now?
A year from now I would love for Roll Call TV to be in more homes across the country. I would like for us to be on par with some of the other Sunday shows out there that clearly have a much longer history than Roll Call TV. We’ve only been around now for three years but to the extent that a year from now we can say that we’re up there with Meet the Press, Face the Nation and State of the Union-that would be a home run.
What do you think readers want from their media outlets?
I think more than anything else, they want accuracy. When it comes to people’s opinions – and we all have them – clearly the American people at home have their own opinion. At the end of the day they are comfortable with the spirited debate between the right, left, and center. I think that’s the main reason you see programs like MSNBC and Fox that have a little bit more of a spirited debate throughout their programming throughout the day. They have a rise in their advertising. I don’t think Americans have an appetite for folks that will rip your face off because you’re a Republican or Democrat. Or will spew hate and inaccuracies out there. I think that’s what a lot of people simply do not have an appetite for.
What person, site, publication, or blog do you trust the most about political news and information?
I would say probably it would be Roll Call newspaper. That is an absolute, positively, non-partisan middle of the road publication that gives you the facts about Capitol Hill and Washington DC. I trust them. I work with them on a daily basis and I think they are professionals. I think there are reporters at Roll Call that get up every single day and strive to get the story right. That’s very important to me and I know it’s important to them.
A strong second would probably be the Washington Post. I read them every day and believe what they are reporting is right. I think those two are the top two for me.
You can view a video of this interview here.
