Le Dauphine Libere has launched a very interesting Web site devoted entirely to the next presidential election.
www.quelcandidat.com (whatcandidat) is a new way to cover the elections.
While the coverage in the traditional media (mainly television, daily newspapers and newsmagazines) is totally controlled by the politcal spin offices, this Web site offers a lot of non-traditional information.
From links to blogs, profiles, polls, surveys, videos, news… and many other features make this Web site a rich new media for the French voters.
What it is more striking is that this is a regional newspaper but I am sure that this Web site is attracting a national audience.
This is a great model for papers in many countries if they want to escape the politicians’ agenda and be in tune with the feelings, needs, hopes and goals of the voter.
Benoit Raphael, innovations manager at Le Dauphine Libere, the force behind this project, explains in his blog how this and other new media tools will change the way to cover the French elections.
The lesson is very simple:
We are in this business to serve our main, large audience: the voters and not just the candidates.
Welcome to new media.
Welcome to new politics.
Welcome to the power of voters.
