Day 4 (January 13, 2009)

From Ben Koch ‘10…

AlertDC

I woke up this morning to a text message from the AlertDC emergency text messaging service telling me that delays on the metro system were due to police activity regarding a suspicious package left at the stop before our usual morning destination. Seven text alerts later, the situation had been cleared, and that metro stop was given the all clear.  It was a brief reminder that we do live in a post 9/11 world.

Live on C-SPAN

At the UDC auditorium we were greeted by the sight of a television broadcasting truck, indicating that C-SPAN would be covering part of our morning session – live.  The weekly C-SPAN show, Washington Journal Live, was filmed from the auditorium.  It was exciting being in the same room with a live television broadcast!  The host, Steve Scully, fielded questions live over the phone from the viewing, listening, and live audiences.

Special guests joining him for the program were Bret Baier from FOX News and Juan Williams from National Public Radio (NPR).  Mr. Baier said in response to a question on media biases that “news is a business, and you are trying to make money.”  I found this response both unsettling and revealing.  I do not mind that news may be slanted towards a political base to make money. However, I am concerned when people do not realize the bias and may actually think that FOX News or MSNBC is giving them the “real news.”

Mr. Williams poignantly stated, “News has drifted away from the networks to cable.  [Viewers] don’t go for it for just the news. They go to it looking for an angle they already have.”   Certainly this is something to consider when media insiders admit such things about the media empire and its viewership.

Another interesting tidbit I picked up from the morning session was the prediction from Tom Wheeler, Head of Transition of Technology and Science for the Obama administration, that the digital transition may be delayed beyond the February 17, 2009 date that has been set due to the coupon program running out.  This means we should prepare for continued public service announcements about the upcoming digital transition.

White House security and Obama transition

I haven’t seen a strong police presence in the city beyond the high profile locations and tourist spots.  I believe that I may have found where they are all hiding – the White House.  Today, I stopped by the White House and was surprised to see just how much security surrounded the area. Blockades and police were everywhere on Pennsylvania Avenue in preparation for the Inaugural parade.  I enjoyed seeing the spot on the White House lawn where the press corps broadcast their live news reports.  I was also impressed at the security detail around the enclosure that will house President Obama and Vice President Biden with their families during the parade.

To wrap things up, my group crossed the block to the Hay-Adams Hotel where the President-elect is staying with his family.  The security surrounding the complex was intense, and I wasn’t even allowed to take pictures of the building head-on.  Welcome signs for Malia and Sasha Obama were on the building across the street. I bet they’re having the time of their lives.  I wonder what that would be like to be a child of a President?

Chamber of Commerce reception

Next door to the Hay-Adams Hotel was the United States Chamber of Commerce where I attended an evening reception with special guest Bob Schieffer, CBS News chief Washington correspondent and moderator of Face the Nation.  The reception was very nice and bustling with the 673 students from 47 states at the convention. It was an honor to see Peoria’s name among the list of contributing cities to the construction of the chamber in Washington.

While we were hoping that President-elect Obama would hear the good time (and fun) we were having at the chamber and stop by, we were pleased to have Mr. Schieffer speak with us for a few minutes.  His talk was directed to the attendees of the seminar, and he helped put into perspective the importance of all that we are seeing this week.  It was interesting to hear him recount his own stories of professional reporting, such as getting the first interview with Lee Harvey Oswald’s mother on a whim. He was gracious and connected with the audience, treating us with respect and interest.

I was able to meet him and shake his hand after the reception.  It was a great honor to meet someone with such a strong reporting history and realize all the change he has seen in his lifetime.  A true inspiration.

Tomorrow I’m visiting the Canadian Embassy with the Canadian students in my group; I’m looking forward to visiting more with our friends from up north.