ABC Iowa Debates - ABC Commits Video Fraud

Calling for a "Vloggercot"

I just finished watching the ABC Iowa Republican Presidential Debate. You know the one. The one that claimed to be based around video submissions by people like you and me. The one that got everyone thinking that the top rated videos would be used? The one where it was reported that ABC News George Stephanopoulos would use the questions.

Well, they didn't do that.

ABC committed the most brazen act of video content fraud I've ever seen. They promoted this debate as driven by video questions submitted, then had people upload videos, set up a system to rank videos, then showed those videos in some order that in itself was questionable.

I submitted a video, but it was a recycled one from the YouTube debate that wasn't asked. But other video-bloggers like Newbievids made new videos for the ABC effort, then had to sit and watch as their great work was ignored.

ABC only picked two videos -- none were top-ranked. The first one was the typical, predictable, stereotypical blonde white female that a TV producer would select. Not even in the running at all, yet picked out of a hat.

ABC owes American an appology for this outrage in getting the vlogging community all worked up over nothing. ABC even sent an email stating this:

Thanks for submitting your video question for the candidates!

As you know, the deadline for submitting videos for the Republican
candidates is now closed.

ABC's George Stephanopoulos & his editorial staff are still reviewing
your insightful & articulate questions for Sunday's program.

Tune in to see if your question is picked! Check your local listings for
the scheduled airtime for the Special edition of "This Week with George
Stephanopoulos" this Sunday, August 5th.

Don't worry- you're role in ABC News' political coverage is *NOT* over:

We want to know your opinion of the forum. Did the candidates tackle the
issues? Specifically your issue? Are you satisfied with their answers to
the questions asked?

What is your reaction to the Republican debates?

Send in your video following Sunday's discussion and your new
contribution will have the opportunity to air in post-debate review &
analysis.

HOW TO SUBMIT VIDEOS:

1) Via cell phone
Record a 15-45 second clip and email it to: icaught@abcnews.go.com

2) Via the web:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/BeSeenBeHeard/story?id=3446667

We hope you'll accept this new challenge!
~The ABC News 'Talk Back' Team

Oh. But that pales in comparison to this email from ABC:

"'TALK BACK' Team @ ABCNews"

More options Aug 3 (2 days ago)
Greetings from ABC News!

Thank you so much for taking the time to send ABC News your video
questions for the Republican Candidates!

Your videos have made the first-cut and are featured in our online
voting section of the 'iCaught- VOTE 2008" section of the website.

http://ugv.abcnews.go.com

We encourage you, your family, colleagues & friends to vote/rate
favorite questions & the highest rated videos will be a factor in George
Stephanopoulos' decision and also have the opportunity to be featured in
ABC News NOW's post-debate Spin room!

The deadline for voting is Saturday, August 4th @ midnight EDT.

Thanks again for your efforts & Good luck!

~The ABC News 'TalkBack' Team

ABC's next covering the Dems. Maybe we should send ABC a message and not submit any videos at all.

Hmm...