Distributing crowd control instructions via an audio feed is an interesting idea – especially instructions on message and media. However, people shouting instructions on what to do if you get arrested or need to confront the authorities will never go away because they are an integral part of the event!

At least in theory, I do like the idea of enabling individuals and organizations to be audio broadcasters, operating independently of traditional gatekeepers such as major networks.

There are two ways to think of podcasts: a regular distrubtion channel that focuses on a weekly, daily, whatever radio show-like effort. I think there other ways that nonprofits can use the same channel — audio attached to an RSS feed and meant to go onto a portable mp3 playback device — to get information out.

Here’s an example of what I mean: during the anti-war marches in San Francisco, the pre-March was filled with people with bullhorns yelling out instructions — what do do if you get arrested, phone numbers to call, etc. These were handed out on pieces of paper. What if, as part of the pre-march publicity — a podcast was distrubuted that had the instructions on it? And maybe even, at the march, small thumb-drive mp3 players were distributed w/ the instructions on them. Should this replace the paper? Nope. But it could certainly help to augment the other communications.

Even the local SPCA — they probably produce PSAs of some strip — this is a channel for some of the PSAs they are already producing.

As I said in the post, I don’ t know. But I worry that nonprofits ignore these channels until it’s too late. Until they are owned by a more corporate mentality and harder to break in on.

Thanks for the thoughtful post and the cautions.