Get the Scoop! and pass it along ...

Think you’re too young to get your voice heard? Not in the Internet age! Alexander Heffner was 17 when he and Andrew Mangino launched Scoop08.com, a political Web site written by teens and young adults on the political issues they care about. The reporters are students across the country, middle school through college. They’re interviewing presidential candidates, posting podcasts and video about politics, and analyzing the future of this country from the next generation’s point of view. They’re on the look out for new voices, too, just like yours.

Current Events talked with the Alexander and Andrew as Scoop08 was about to launch. Read more about Scoop08 and how you can get involved in CE Issue 10.

CE: How do you see teenagers using Scoop08?

ANDREW (left): You’ll be able to listen to stories, hear question and answers by the reporters who reported them. See all the different angles and interesting issues and people and big ideas that are surrounding the race. You can go on the web site and right from the top is a chance to participate. You’ll be able to send a story idea, you’ll be able to participate in the creation of stories ideas, and you’ll be able to have your voice heard by expressing your views. And, of course, you can get involved as a correspondent.

CE: How will you keep the reporting fair and balanced?

ALEXANDER (left): We’re keeping it very diverse. Students across the country, in public and private universities and high schools, are already involved. That’s one way to get vantage points that are diverse, that are refreshing. Anyone can log on to join the staff or submit a piece, a column, a feature.

CE: What makes Scoop08 different from other sites?

ALEXANDER: We’re going to venture into territory that’s not explored by as many reporters in the mainstream media. We can look at second- and third-tier candidates and issues. We’re interviewing young people about their views. We’re interviewing the candidates. If we ask different questions, then we’re inclined to receive answers that are refreshing and can illuminate this campaign in different ways. We do have a different perspective that will enable us to connect to these different beats.

CE: In the last presidential election, the candidates were just beginning to recognize the power of the Internet. Is that online access a reason young adults are becoming so much more involved in politics?

ALEXANDER: Ten years ago, this sort of venture could not have happened. Now, it’s essential that we take on such a task and bring together a network of student journalists from across the country. We can credit technology. I think Scoop08 is really empowering young journalists to have an impact on this election.

CE: You have an impressive advisory board with a lot of political experience. One name stands out, though: Why Yul Kwan, the winner of Survivor: Cook Islands?

ALEXANDER: He’s someone who connects to young people. He offers kind of a mix of interest in all affairs. All of our advisory board members offer a great degree of knowledge about people. More than anything else, this an enterprise about people.

CE: So, who do you support? Andrew says he's independent.

ALEXANDER: I am squarely in the middle. We are observing this election as objectively as we can so it doesn’t become about Democrats or Republicans. It becomes about Americans.