1 of my goals I blogged about for 2009 was: “try new things out with my video blogs”. And I’m doing exactly that. Aaron Barnhart from the Kansas City Star has followed www.ramseymohsen.com and my vblogs for a while and we’ve only just exchanged thoughts on various topics over email. An opportunity and idea came up and we both agreed it would be fun to try out a video blog and meetup. FYI, I wasn’t paid to do the vblog. All my vblogs I’ve done have been always been by a concious choice to do them for free. I enjoy it.

What I felt was the most interesting is reflecting on the collaboration between an independent blogger/new media type (myself) and the old media (Newspaper publication). While the results and feedback have yet to roll-in and be evaluated, I’m happy with the results and the experience.

There are several conversations about the possible need for ‘next gen’ journalists needing skill sets that allow them to grasp, utilize and execute over all forms of media (online/blogs, print, video, audio, etc.) but there are not many conversations and/or strategies about how collaboration between the old media and new media have the potential to do great things. One could argue, journalists and bloggers are fighting for attention — why not work together?

What do you think? Can journalists and independent bloggers co-exist? Collaborate?

The video blog we shot is in regards to the Tea Party rallies that are going on across the country today. More than 300 locations in all 50 states will hold rallies to protest higher taxes and out-of-control government spending. In the vblog, Steve and Aaron debated if the Fairness Doctrine needs to be restored by congress. The Fairness Doctrine was struck down in 1987 and required broadcasters to present both sides of controversial issues in a manner that is honest, equitable and balanced.