Bloggers to Receive Unprecedented Access,
Connect Diverse Communities to Historic Event

Progressive Community to Provide Additional Workspace,
Resources for Bloggers During Convention Week

DENVER - As part of its continuing commitment to engage a broad spectrum of audiences in new and creative ways, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced that a record number of blogs have been credentialed as members of the media for the 2008 Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. These blogs will help ensure that communities across the country are connected to the Convention through the eyes and ears of a growing, diverse group of online voices.

Organizers also announced that blogs credentialed by the DNCC will have access to a dedicated "Blogger Lounge" inside the Pepsi Center, equipped with televisions, technology resources and workspace to facilitate their reporting. All bloggers will have access to the Convention floor, press briefing areas, caucus meetings, filing centers and other auxiliary events open to members of the media.

"Since we began planning, one goal has been at the core of all our efforts: to engage as many communities as possible in the Convention experience. We're excited to provide bloggers with the opportunity to be the eyes and ears of so many at this Convention," said Aaron Myers, Director of Online Communications for the DNCC. "Today, we are shattering the standard we set just four years ago, when the 2004 Democratic Convention was the first to credential blogs. This year, we will more than triple the number of blogs credentialed to witness history in the making."

The credentialed blogs represent a large and diverse collection of voices and perspectives. The pool includes blogs covering national, state and local politics and those representing a variety of groups including the African American, Latino, Asian American, Native American and LGBT communities. Blogs focusing on youth issues, women's issues, labor issues, disability issues as well as those focusing on the environment and communities of faith will also be credentialed among many others.

In addition to resources provided to credentialed bloggers, the DNCC is working with ProgressNow, The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado, DailyKos and The Wright Group to finalize plans for the "Big Tent" - a headquarters away from home for hundreds of progressive bloggers, netroots organizers and non-profit representatives from across the country. The facility, just a few blocks from the Pepsi Center, will provide additional workspace for journalists and bloggers as well as a main stage with events and entertainment that will be open to the public during Convention week.

"We are proud to cooperate with the DNCC to ensure that for the first time, so many citizen journalists will have the tools and access they need to cover a national Convention," said Bobby Clark, Deputy Director of ProgressNow. "The progressive movement really is a 'Big Tent', and we think this unique event will be a huge hit with bloggers, non-profit leaders, and even some members of the professional media."

In 2004, the DNCC credentialed about 30 blogs to cover the Convention in Boston - the first Convention to credential bloggers. Recently, the DNCC announced that 55 blogs focused on state and local politics were selected to be members of the DemConvention State Blogger Corps. Altogether, the DNCC will credential more than 120 blogs for the Convention and many more individuals will blog the Convention via credentials issued through the U.S. Congressional Press Galleries.

The complete list of blogs credentialed to date can be found at www.DemConvention.com/credentialed-blogs.