One of the most thoughtful and provocative lawyer-written blogs is TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime, and TalkLeft blogger — and criminal defense lawyer —Jeralyn E. Merritt is among the roster of convention bloggers. I’m glad the bloggers are there to provide their unique perspectives on the convention. But as I read their reports, I am all the more aware of the extent to which these events are orchestrated to play best to the TV. Jeralyn’s report, “Clinton ends with, Send Me. The crowd chants and cheers in response,” reveals nothing of the emotion only a camera can convey. The DNC bloggers should avoid efforts at real-time reporting and spend their time digging behind the scenes, showing us what the cameras will not.

More revealing than bloggers at the DNC would be a cadre of guerilla videographers, taking their cameras behind the scenes, away from the scripted events and celebrity politicians, and streaming what they find over the Internet.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.