To generate buzz around the launch of its new American news network, Al Jazeera America – set to launch on August 20 – will host a Google+ Hangout with correspondents from America Tonight, its flagship program. Azmat Khan, the program’s producer, will host the Hangout today at 5pm and will be joined by America Tonight host Joie Chen and Special Correspondent Soledad O’Brien.
“Through the Google+ Hangout, Al Jazeera America is creating an open forum that allows people to directly participate in the development of America Tonight,” said O’Brien. Chen and O’Brien plan to engage with the Hangout’s participants in a discussion about the direction of the program and the stories it plans to tell. The participants are encouraged to suggest topics for future stories and to share their takes on current issues important to them.
According to Khan, America Tonight will be devoted to telling important and diverse stories and the “Hangout is an opportunity for our online audience to help us find those stories, connect with our team and lead a more robust conversation about how a nightly news program can and should serve its viewers.”
With the proliferation of options for obtaining news – via both tv broadcasts and online – it will likely become common for cable news production teams to engage viewers directly, and mold segments based on viewer feedback. It will be interesting to see how America Tonight incorporates the suggestions and feedback from potential viewers in Monday’s Hangout.
Online attendees can join the conversation by registering online.