by Jennifer Moore

Created on: February 19, 2009

Never before has a United States President set out to deliver the weekly address regularly via video, let alone to make it available on the Internetuntil President Obama that is. President Obama has made it a goal to make every weekly address available on the internet at the White House website and YouTube. This is historical all on it's own just because of the simple fact that it has never been done before. Since the 1930's, U.S. Presidents have delivered their weekly address through radio broadcasts. The historical significance of the President's decision doesn't end there though, there is also significant messages being sent to the American people by this move.

Since knowledge is power, President Obama's decision to broadcast his weekly address through video is a huge step to empowering Americans with information about the U.S. and it's government happenings. Again, no administration has put forth such effort to inform the American people about their government, in fact, quite the opposite is true as previous administrations have been known to protect and even conceal information from the American people.

The choice to make these addresses available on YouTube more than demonstrates the President's acknowledgement of American trends. As he reaches out to demographics not previously considered in great deal, he also demonstrates the importance he has placed on our young adults (the near future of this country). This bold move also demonstrates the President's willingness and ability to bring change to the White House which he so diligently pressed the importance of during the presidential campaigns. Obama stressed the need for government transparency and made promises to improve the amount and quality of information that Americans got regarding the happenings of the U.S. government. Refreshingly he is following through with promises to do so and the first step has been the implementation of weekly video addresses.

The weekly address is released Saturday mornings on YouTube and the White House website but do not expire and are available at any time. This goes for previous weekly addresses as well. One way that the President is keeping another one of his promises: giving Americans the ability to hold his administration responsible and accountable for their promises and actions. The significance of President Obama's decision to broadcast the weekly address video weekly is great and impacts the entire nation, officials and the general public alike, as the President reiterates the importance of government transparency.

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